On February 24, 1933, Walter Ernest Genereux was born a farmer to Walter Louis and Ida Genereux.  On September 23, 2023, God took that farmer to tend to the land in heaven.  Wally, as nicknamed by a family friend when he was little, was the first born with Margaret, Carrol "Bumps," and Roger to follow.

His folks moved about in the Big Sandy-Box Elder area and to Seattle before moving back to the homestead farm when he was 10 years old.  Along with farming the land, he kept busy with the milk cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, and cattle.  Wally felt that working on the farm with his parents and family was what shaped him the most.  His fun moments while growing up was when his folks would take them fishing and picnicking on Sundays down at the Missouri River and in the winter months when the family was together in the evenings and played games.  A favorite memory of his when he was 6 years old, his dad would put a dime in hot cake batter and whichever one of the kids got the hot cake with the dime in it would get to go to the store for a copy of the Great Falls Tribune.  When he was 11 years old, he had rheumatic fever and a heart murmur causing him to be bed ridden for three months.  Because of this, he graduated high school a year later than expected in 1952.  He was then drafted to serve in the Korean War in February 1953.  While in Korea, he dreamt about building a home with a big fireplace, a family, 2,000 acres, and 100 cows.  He ranked as a Sergeant and was honorably discharged in December 1954.  He returned to the farm to begin making his dreams a reality.

In the spring of 1958, he met the love of his life, Deana Hurd.  They were married shortly after that on September 6, 1958.  Along came Marti in February 1959, Cinda in October 1960, Brock in May 1963, Darin in October 1965, and Theresa in October 1969.  Wally carried on his dad and mom's attitude toward life making it his duty to provide and take care of his family in the best way he could.  He enjoyed working with his folks and carried these traits on down through his kids, grands, and greats…..it was not about the quantity of work and play, but the quality.  From picking rock and rye to checking cows and hauling grain, it was an enjoyment to work with Dad…..a learned attitude and work ethic.  There was always intense excitement for the grands and greats to ride next to Grandpa in the combine.  Wally loved to fish, hunt, and camp.  He enjoyed camping in the Bears Paw Mountains…Faber's, Sheehy's, and Beaver Creek Park campgrounds were always the fun places to be with family and friends.  His favorite hunts were for elk and he spent 30+ years hunting with very special friends; spending the last couple years reminiscing and sharing great stories.  There was never a shortage of family trips.  Wally enjoyed watching programs on travel, history, and National Geographic and made sure that we experienced a lot of places he learned about; traveling to many states and across Canada.  Many years of family and friend gatherings left him and us all with great memories of visiting, laughing, and happiness.  Never a dull moment with a hot game of poker, Hearts, or Rummy.  Lots of years passed before any of us could beat him at a hand of Rummy; which didn't happen but once or twice.  Wally's faith was very important to him.  When he was young, he would go to summer school at the church.  The nuns would teach him prayers and all about his religion.  He made sure to dress his family in their best and go to church most every Sunday.

His farm, wife of 65 years, kids, grands, and greats were his whole world and encompassed some of the best decades of his 90 years of life.  Wally has been described by his friends and those who love him dearly as kind, genuine, amazing, a gem, one of a kind, sweet, and a true gentleman.  He has left a lasting impression on us all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter L. and Ida Genereux, and a brother, Carrol "Bumps" Genereux.  He is survived by his wife Deana; children, Marti Genereux, Cinda (Robin) Pearson, Brock (Cruz) Genereux, Darin (Lisa) Genereux, and Theresa (Andy) Zook; grandchildren, Shawn (Chad) Hill, Kirsten (Tyler) Gilead, Shalayna (Casey) Clark, Corbin (Kaurie) Pearson, Jasmine Genereux, Jeremiah Genereux, Josalynn Genereux, Sage Zook, and Ian Zook; great-grandchildren, Sharlise Hill, Preston Hill, Aidreannika Gilead, Keyahwnna Gilead, Kyler Gilead, Alexis Clark, Kara Clark, Kylie Clark, Cambri Clark, and Kinslee Dee Clark; a sister, Margaret (Bob) Amos; and brother, Roger (Gaye) Genereux.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023, at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery.  Memorials in Wally's honor may be made to St. Margaret Mary's Church, the Big Sandy Medical Center, or the charity of the donor's choice.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.