Walter became an apprentice blacksmith and after he bought his own business he built a new shop. He shod horses, sharpened plow lays and most anything else people wanted done. He was very capable and could fix almost anything. He operated this shop until about 1918 when he had a stroke and lost the use of his right arm. He farmed along with his brother, John, until 1925 when he moved onto his own farm west of Ayrshire, Iowa. The blacksmith shop was sold to Otto Coakland at this time.

He became ill with cancer and died in 1939. Ethel cared for him during his seven years of suffering, then after he passed away she moved into Ayrshire and cared for her father until he passed away. She worked for several homes in the town. Later she was supervisor of the Ayrshire school lunch program for many years. She died at the age of 75.