Walter Edward Husten, LtCol USAF (Ret)
January 12, 1938 ~ January 30, 2025
Age 87
Walt died peacefully at home. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo of 61 years and their two daughters Teresa Morse (Steven) and Kathy Sullivan (Patrick) and six granddaughters Kelly, Cameron, Kayla Morse and Sullivan girls Megan, Sarah Pollmann (Hayden), and Ann.
He was preceded in death by their son Paul in 2003, parents, two brothers and a sister. Survived by nieces Corinne (Larry Libera), Ann Lenck, Lynn Hack (Vinnie).
After his father died when Walt was six weeks old, he was raised by his mother and grandmother for eight years on a dairy farm on the land his great-grandfather homesteaded near Waukesha, Wisconsin. Selling the farm, the family moved to East Troy. Right after high school graduation in 1955, Walt enlisted in the Air Force and was trained as a jet aircraft mechanic. He worked on RF-84 aircraft and other aircraft and as crew chief on the B-47 before attending Officers Candidate School.
His first officer duty station was Schilling AFB in Salina, Kansas where he met Mary Jo. Assignments in aircraft maintenance continued at Goose Bay Labrador, SAC Headquarters, Shemya in the Aleutians (remote), Lowry AFB Denver, back to Bellevue Offutt AFB as a Squadron Commander, and then SAC Headquarters again. Two years on the B-1 Test Team at Edwards AFB California followed by two years on the KC-10 Test Team at Barksdale AFB Louisiana occurred prior to retirement in 1981, completing 26½ years of military service earning three Meritorious Service Medals and other commendations.
Returning to Bellevue with a MBA, he was business manager – nine years at Duchesne Academy in Omaha and twelve years St. Mary’s Parish in Bellevue. Community service was ten years as treasurer in support of Cardinal Spellman School (now St Matthew’s), five years as Homeowners Association president, and various activities with the Knights of Columbus. He was a server, lector, EMHC for Masses, and Knights of the altar for funerals at St Mary’s. He loved fishing, golfing, card playing; mostly he loved God, family, and country.
Visitation: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. followed by a
Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., Bellevue Memorial Chapel.
To view a live broadcast of the Vigil, click the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/walter-e-husten-ltcol-usaf-ret-fv9lbwdkpsyj4houfx4b
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, February 6, 2025, 10:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2302 Crawford Street, Bellevue, Nebraska.
To view a live broadcast of the Mass, click the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/walter-e-husten-ltcol-usaf-ret-zs5d9zbjyo2ned4rw5ca
Interment: Bellevue Cemetery
Military Honors: Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard
In lieu of flowers, memorials to: St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Bellevue / Knights of Columbus Bellevue #6192
5 Comments
Mary — I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. I did not know the good colonel but I can tell from his story that he was a great American that paved the way for us younger folks to serve. God Bless you and your family. . I am sure you will find him in the big BX in the sky. Sincerely Jim
My earliest memory of Uncle Walt was Christmas 1955. My parents had gotten me my first 2-wheel bike and hid it in Uncle Walt’s bedroom at Grandma’s. I remember him wheeling it out to the living room. I was so excited that I was speechless. I always associated that bike with him.
It meant so much to me to have Uncle Walt walk me down the aisle at my wedding.
Mary Jo, I am so saddened by Walt’s passing. I twice met him at Grissom AFB during an inspection once as a B-58 OMS maintenance supervisor and later the ARW maintenance control officer. He asked if I wanted to go to Omaha. I was having too much fun and said no! Well, next thing I know, I am moving. He made it happen. It was a transition time for me. You both made my future wife so comfortable while I enjoyed your family. You two changed my life so much and Ruthie and I are truly great full. God Bless you. Ruthie and Oz
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