Walter William Haeger

Walter William Haeger was born in Preston, Idaho on October 22, 1947. He was the son of James Wesley Haeger and Theda Stephens Kofoed. He spent most of his childhood in American Falls, Idaho. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s and later master’s degree in English. However, he found that he needed a job and came back to Idaho State University to get his teaching credentials. While working on that in the summer of 1976 he met his future wife, Kathryn Maude Wallace. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 20, 1977. After living in Salt Lake City for a year they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where both of them taught at various schools.

Walter was especially enthusiastic to work with the Junior High Youth of Idaho Falls and led them to many victorious Future Problem-solving competitions, including the national one held in Iowa City, Iowa. He found he loved teaching the gifted students which led him to pursue an Education Doctorate in gifted education at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

West Lafayette was an important life stop in his life as he and Maude also became the adoptive parents of a sibling group of four – and one more child a year and a half later in 1988.

Soon after being able to adopt one last child, Walter and his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they have lived ever since – primarily in West Chester.

Walter was born and raised within the Mormon church and he and his wife were quite active for many of their years in Ohio. However, they both had a change of heart, adopted and have enjoyed the teachings and precepts of the Episcopal church. They are members of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in West Chester.

Walter loved his family dearly. He was thrilled to be the father of Jamie Lynn Haeger (married to Kris Oliver), Shannon Marie Haeger (married to Chris Wright), William Wallace Haeger, Timothy James Haeger, and John Alexander Haeger-Espinal (married to Stalin Haeger – Espinal). As well he was very pleased and proud of his six grandchildren: Jordan Alexandra Haeger, Lealand James Haeger, Noland Aiden Haeger, Arayabella Faye Haeger, Kathryn Leann Oliver and Felix Edward Alexander Oliver.

Walter had been failing in health for the last couple of years and was overtaken by death and peacefully left this earth on May 14, 2025, surrounded by his family whom he loved and who loved him.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at St. Anne Episcopal Church 6461 Tylersville Rd, West Chester Township, OH 45069 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please make a charitable donations to Hospice of Cincinnati. You can donate online, by mailing a check or by donating stock. Please make checks are payable to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597.