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Walter Warda
01/16/2026

Walter Warda , age 100, passed away on January 16. He was born in Duisburg-Hamborn, Germany in 1925. He lived a happy life there with his brother William (Wilhelm) and their parents, until he was drafted into the German army in 1943 during World War II at the age of 17. Eight months later he was captured in Bulgaria and sent to a Siberian prison camp. He was a prisoner of war in numerous Russian prison camps. He tried to escape several times, but was always recaptured. He was finally released in 1949, four years after the war ended. His time in Siberia was horrifying. He believed that he survived because God was with him. His time in Russia was written about in The Morning Call in 2016 by David Venditta.

Shortly after his return to Germany, he met the woman who would become his wife, Irma. They married and had a son, Hans Peter. In January, 1954, they emigrated to the United States with their son and settled in Allentown, where Walter had two uncles, Otto and Edward Warda.

Within weeks of their arrival here they became members of the Lehigh Saengerbund, one of the oldest German singing societies in Pennsylvania. Walter and his wife sang in the chorus and were active members for over 60 years. He was a Trustee and Treasurer and also worked countless hours for the events that were held. He had many friends there and was well-loved.

After a few years as a laborer, he was hired at Mack Trucks as a welder. Later he retrained and became a Class A Maintenance Man at Mack Trucks. He worked there for 30 years until his retirement.

Walter loved tools, doing anything mechanical, and working with his hands. He had an vast collection of tools and machinery in his workshop, and he loved working there. He was also a skilled woodcarver. He made countless elaborately carved birdhouses, made signs on commission for friends with their family names on them, and artwork and Christmas ornaments for family and friends.

He loved gardening and had a beautiful rock garden and flower beds at his home.

Walter had a great sense of humor. He could hold an audience for hours with his jokes, most of them off-color.

He missed Germany and enjoyed all things German, from the food to folk music and culture. He had a large collection of records and CDs of German folk music.

In August, 2025 he celebrated his 100th birthday in the company of many friends, acquaintances, and family from Texas as well as his daughter Christa and son-in-law, Rainer Josting.

He was devoted to his family and was married to Irma for 68 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife Irma, his son Hans Peter (Peter), his parents, Johann and Elisabeth and his brother William.

He leaves behind his daughter Christa Warda and her husband Rainer Josting; granddaughter Erin Burgess, husband Michael and great-granddaughters Emma and Madilyn in Texas; grandson Christopher Warda, wife Leslie, great-grandson Tripp and great-granddaughter Wrenley, also in Texas.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, PA on Saturday, February 14 at 12:00 pm.

The interment of ashes will be private at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Nicos Elias Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Peaceable Kingdom, 1049 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall Twp., PA.