WALTER KUDELIK of Fort Macleod, beloved husband of Irene Kudelik, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the age of 72 years.

Walter was born in Yorkton, SK on July 2, 1936 to Aloise and Haluza Kudelik. He attended High School at St. Joe's in Yorkton, received his Teacher's Degree in Moose Jaw, SK and his Master's Degree at the University of Saskatchewan. He then taught school in Southern Saskatchewan and in 1960 moved to Fort Simpson where he met his loving wife Irene of 47 years. Together they moved to Fort Smith, NWT then Fort Resolution, NWT and finally settled down in Hay River, NWT for 22 years where he taught school and also was a successful business owner of The Present Place for 19 years. In 1991 he retired to a hobby farm in Monarch and then moved to Fort Macleod in 2001. Walter was an active member of both the Federal and Provincial Progressive Parties. He was the Mayor of Hay River, NWT, President of the Association of Municipalities in the NWT and a member of the Elks Club and Knights of Columbus in the Northwest Territories. Walter was a HUGE fan of the New York Yankees and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He loved his family, his dogs and growing tomatoes. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Besides his loving wife Irene, Walter is survived by his daughters Gail Kudelik (Duke) Hunter, Patricia (Steve) Westcott, Carol (Tim) MacEachern and Deborah Kudelik-Dunbar (Len); grandchildren Brody, Kelsey, Madison, Kori, Carmanah, Briana, Lindsey, Sandon, Kaitlin, Tyler, and Megan (Gorgeous); sisters Irene Rafa and Hilda Padar; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Aloise and Haluza Kudelik.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 pm, on Friday, October 24, 2008 at ST. BASIL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 - 13 Street North, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at ST. BASIL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, with Father Ben Marino celebrant. Interment to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, #207, 542 - 7 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2H1 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 210D, 12 A Street North, Lethbridge, AB T1H 2J1.