Walter R. Vasicek, age 81, resident of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Lakota, ND, died Friday, March 7, 2008 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Walter Richard Vasicek was born July 6, 1926 at Lakota, ND, the son of Albert and Rose (Travnicek) Vasicek. He was raised in Lakota and graduated from Lakota High School in 1944. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on September 23, 1944 and was stationed in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on December 1, 1946. Walter returned home and married Betty K. Benson on March 7, 1947 at Grand Forks. The lived for a short time in Chicago, IL, and Bemidji, MN, before returning to Lakota. Walter and Betty owned and operated several businesses in Lakota and the surrounding area. They worked side by side all of their lives until their retirement. They moved to Garrison, ND, in 1991. Betty died March 3, 1998. Walter then lived in Lisbon, ND, Tennessee, and the last few years in Grand Forks.

Walter will be greatly missed by his 3 children, William Vasicek of Grand Forks, ND, Richard (Barbara) Vasicek of Pleasant Shade, TN, and Kathy Rightmire of Pasco, WA; 6 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchildren; a sister, Mary Lou (James) Marcotte of Reynolds, ND; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a grandson, Jesse Vasicek.

Walter's Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church of Lakota, ND, on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Monday, March 10, 2008 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.