WINONA -- The funeral for Brother Laurence Walther will be 5:30 p.m. Sunday in St. Thomas More Chapel at the St. Mary's University in Winona. Burial will be Monday in St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona.
Brother Walther, 82, of Winona, a longtime teacher and musician, died Wednesday (Aug. 21, 2002) at St. Anne's Hospice in Winona.
Born Oct., 31, 1919, in Chicago, he graduated from De La Salle Institute in Chicago and then attended St. Mary's College in Winona where he professed his vow to become a Christian brother in 1941. He received a bachelor of arts degree in English from St. Mary's College in 1944, a master of arts in education from St. Louis University in 1952 and a master of arts in music education from DePaul University in 1954. In 1970 he completed a master of arts in theology at Manhattan College. In 1972 he received a bachelor of arts in music education from Winona State University, and in 1975 a master of music in piano from Indiana University.
A high school teacher for 14 years and an administrator for nine years, he taught at LaSalle Institute in Glencoe, Minn., was director of Xavier High School in Appleton, Wis., and director of De La Salle High School in Minneapolis. He was a professor at Price College in Amarillo, Texas, and in 1970 returned to St. Mary's as a full-time faculty member. He originated the college's fine arts department, was the first member of the music faculty and served the music department as professor, lecturer, piano teacher and chairman for nearly 30 years. Also a professional pianist, he began touring in 1974 with Brother Vincent Malham as the Brothers in Concert. He served as administrator of the Dunrovin Retreat and Conference Center in St. Croix, Minn.
In 1980 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from De La Salle Institute. In 1981 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from St. Mary's College. In 1991 he received an honorary doctorate of music arts from Saint Mary's. In 2001 he was honored by the Winona Fine Arts Commission for his lifelong dedication to music and education.
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Survivors include two sisters, Genevieve Walther of Wheeling, Ill., and Joan Fernstrom of Northbrook, Ill. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.
Friends may call from 3 p.m. until time of the service Sunday at the chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the music department at St. Mary's University, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987.
