Walter Seeba
March 10, 1929 ~ November 13, 2020
Walter James Seeba Sr., age 91, Fargo, ND, died Friday, November 13 at his home under hospice care surrounded by loved ones including his wife of nearly 70 years, Mary Jo.
Walt was born March 10, 1929 in Harvey, ND to Frederick and Stella (Malthouse) Seeba. He attended Harvey schools before the family moved to Fargo in 1945. He was a 1947 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and graduated in 1951 from North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) with a degree in business administration. He served in Division Headquarters Company 47th National Guard at the rank of staff sergeant and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the ROTC program. He entered active duty at Fort Riley, KS, eventually serving in Japan and Korea as a platoon leader and company commander of Co. E 8th Regiment, First Cavalry Division, attaining the rank of first lieutenant from 1952-1953.
In June 1951, Walt married Mary Jo Carvell, and they lived in Fargo until JC Penney transferred him to management positions in Sioux City, IA, Mankato, MN, and Hibbing, MN. He managed the Hibbing store for eight years. In 1980, Minnesota Governor Al Quie appointed Walt as the deputy commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, a state agency. In 1984 the family moved back to Fargo where Walt was employed as director of stewardship and development for the Catholic Diocese of Fargo. He retired from that position in 1992 and worked post-retirement at the Radisson ramp for Parking Services, Inc. until 2015.
Walter was always active in the Catholic church wherever he lived. He was also always active in the community joining the Knights of Columbus in Fargo and becoming a 4th Degree Knight in Mankato. Since returning to Fargo he has served on the St. Vincent de Paul board. Walt belonged to the chambers of commerce in Fargo, Sioux City, Mankato, and Hibbing. In Mankato, he belonged to Sertoma Club and served as president from 1967-1968. He belonged to Hibbing Rotary Club and was on the board of trustees for Hibbing General Hospital, serving as vice-chairman from 1975-1976. While attending NDAC, Walt was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, the Newman Club, and Blade Military Association. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion.
Walt’s childhood love of music continued all his life. Beginning in 1950, he played drums in the local and area bands of George Schoen, Paul Hanson, Gene Allen, and Don Shaw. He played all over the upper Midwest in the late 1950s and drummed for the Mel Eidsmoe Orchestra and the Wally Howard Orchestra from 1988 to 2001.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jo, daughters M. Kathleen (Richard) Arnebeck, Maplewood, MN; Anne (Paul) Schneider, Fargo; Peg (John) Westom, Hibbing, MN; and Elizabeth (fiancé Doug) Seeba-Kennedy, Burnsville, MN; sons David (Corrine), Coon Rapids, MN; Joseph (Dona), Hibbing, MN; Paul (Louise), St. Paul, MN; Robert (Kim), Brooklyn Park, MN; and Mark (Rebecca), Fargo; daughter-in-law Rita, Grand Rapids, MN; 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and a brother William (Barb) in Vancouver, WA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers F. John and L. Edward, his sister Margaret, and his son Walter James Jr.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm followed by a prayer service at 7:00pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fargo on Friday, November 20, 2020.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00am at Holy Spirit with visitation beginning at 10:00am.
Walt's Video Tribute can be viewed below:
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Thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs Seeba and all of Mr Seeba’s kids and grandkids. I know he was a man of faith, humor, and deep love for his dear family. May you continue to feel his love and presence in your daily lives with the many fond memories you each hold in your heart! You will be in our prayers! God Bless.
I was fortunate to live next door to the Seeba family when they lived in Hibbing, MN. I have nothing but fond memories of Mr. Seeba aka Walter J. He had an incredible sense of humor, a legendary smirk and a wonderful attitude. When I think of him, I can’t help but smile.
Please know I and keeping each and everyone of you close to my heart. You’re a beautiful family. Hold each other tight.
Blessings to all
Our sympathy to all of you. May he rest in peace.
Mark, I never knew your father But if he was anything like you (kind & carrying) he was a great man.
Well done great & faithful servant.
Thank you for your service to this country.
My heart goes out to the entire Seeba family. Walt now rests peacefully with God. Prayers from Karen and me.
Rest in peace Uncle Walt
Mark and Becky, I’m so sorry for the loss of your Father and Father-in-law. I didn’t know him but your stories made him a friend. RIP Mr. Seeba.
Eternal Life…..reached the goal. My sympathies to the Seeba family. So many Memories to cherish.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I was lucky to meet Mr. and Mrs. Seeba, along with Mark and his wife Becky, while I was in Fargo to run the half marathon two years in a row with my good running buddy, Peg. Mr. and Mrs. Seeba were so gracious and welcoming to me when we stopped in to see them in their cozy apartment. I’ll never forget how nervous I was about the race and how good I felt after we visited. From there we went to stay with Mark and Becky, who were just as gracious and welcoming. I felt like I had known them all for years. I’m so sorry for your loss, Peg. Thinking of you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers to the family.
I shall hold Walter and his family in my prayers. We are blessed by Christian disciples like him.
See a family I am so very sorry for your loss! Walt was a great person! My dad thought the world of him also. You are all in my thoughts and my prayers
I will always appreciate his great hospitality when he worked for the diocese of Fargo. He was so proud of his brother-in-law Roger Maris. Walt was always encouraging us priests and had a very positive outlook on life as a result of trusting the Lord’s presence. May he joyfully join in praise of the Lord & in praying for us left behind.
May you Rest In Peace and your family find comfort as the days pass. Hugs and love from Kevin, Jennifer, Patricia, Olivia and Maranda
Prayers with you and your family at this time.
Dear Seeba Family,
May Walt have eternal peace and joy with our loving God. He was a man of faith and a man who loved his God and family. May his legacy live on in all of you. We had some great conversations and visits and I will always remember his optimism and trust in God’s Providence. He enjoyed music and loved and lived life. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. Fr. Tim Bushy
Is there anything Walt couldn’t (or didn’t) do? Walt was the definition of a “man in full.” Truly a great human being and a great friend, Walt will be sincerely missed.
Dear Ann and Paul, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing! What a great man he must have been to have such a wonderful, caring daughter and son-in law. I and my family are certainly blessed with your presence! I will be asking for a Mass to be said at St. Francis de Sales in the near future. God’s peace to you all.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Jo and your beautiful family! Fondly, the Dr. George Robert Surprise family from Kansas City, Missouri.
I’ve known Walt since I was a young boy, growing up with his son Joe. I always enjoyed visiting with Walt at Seeba weddings and events. We would discuss drummers and drumming styles. He was very animated and a joy to be around. He went out of his way to send me letters through the years. I think his wit and sincerity has rubbed off on his children, who I’ve had the great honor to get to know over the years. What a rich life he led!
Mary Jo, I’m sure you don’t remember me ,but I am Greg Beyer one of the carpenter’s at northwood commons apartment homes. Adored you and Walt as residents ,loved the daily talks with the two of you when I was working up there, and yes as far as I know the washer and driers are working in the 50 building. my sincere condolances to you and your family RIP Walter
I had the honor and opportunity to chat with Walt on a nearly daily basis from 2007 to 2011 while working in the Radisson tower. He greated everybody each day with a smile and wave. Weather permitting, I would ride my bicycle to work and the bike rack was right by the parking booth. I would often find myself chatting with Walt and getting to hear some great stories about his life. He was a wonderful soul who touched many.
Aunt Mary Jo and Cousins,
Fran and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Uncle Walt. He was such a kind, gentle and caring man and we will miss him greatly. Some of my fondest memories of Walt were when I used to stay with him and Mary Jo during the North Dakota Open. I remember watching the Twins games with him in the den with the pipe smoke swirling in the air. He was a great story teller and always had a twinkle in his eye as we shared funny stories. His infectious chuckle would have me smiling the whole time. I’ll miss you Uncle Wally! Rest In Peace!
Randy Maris
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of the hole Walt Seeba family!
Walt had a special place in my heart. He let me share his son Mark with me and my wife Pat. Walt and I had a few things in common one of witch wasn’t music, but Walt and I did share other things. One was being commissioned 2nd lieutenant through ROTC and attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant at the end of our military service. The other experience we had in common was that I got to enroll Walt and family in the health insurance program through the Fargo Diocese. When it came to enrolling the family, the application had slots for 5 children, I had to take out two other applications to finish the enrollment. Pat and I will dearly miss the evening out to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at the Speak Easy Restaurant in Moorhead and servings of corned beef and cabbage.
Anne, Mrs. Seeba and family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at the loss of Walt. Pat’s mom (Kay Mastel) enjoyed working with him at Penney’s so many years ago. We had hoped to attend the funeral but something came up. God’s richest blessings on Walt and all of you.
Dear Bob,
Please accept our family’s deepest sympathies on the passing of your father. These are such tough days and you are in our thoughts and we will hold you in our prayers. It’s been a long time since high school, but your dad’s work and his faith are treasures not to be forgotten. Take care and stay safe
I was saddened to hear about Walt’s passing. What a good and decent man, and those who knew him better than I were so fortunate. I always enjoyed our occasional chats, whether in Fargo or over the phone — I remember he called me at the newspaper once to ask about something, I forget what it was but we had a good conversation — and he was always so kind and friendly. My thoughts and prayers are with Mary Jo and the family.
I knew Walt when he worked for the Iron Range Resource and Rehabilitation Bureau in Eveleth, Minnesota. He would stop into my office and we would talk baseball now and then, especially about Roger Maris who he knew in Fargo. Walt was a great guy and I’m sorry to read of his passing.