Walda, Manfred 'Freddie'

Manfred “Freddie” Walda, 81, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton following an extended illness.   Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Garrison with the Rev. Mark Leckband officiating. Interment will be held at the Garrison Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Family Center, 605 Second Ave., Vinton, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. 

A memorial fund has been established.

Manfred, who was known as “Freddie,” was born July 23, 1928, at Breslau, Germany, to Oskar and Berta (Würwitz) Walda and he suffered many hardships during World War II. On Nov. 11, 1950, he married Helga Freier at Grafing, Germany, and on July 4, 1954, the couple immigrated to America and settled in Garrison.

 Freddie and Helga both loved music and used their talent to entertain professionally for many years. As the “Happy Wanderers” they wore native costumes as Freddie played accordion and Helga sang for their audiences. After they retired as professional musicians, they entertained at hospitals and nursing homes. Following Helga's death on July 1, 1999, Freddie once again found joy in entertaining. He was also a self-employed carpenter.

He is survived by his nephew, Harry (Hazel) Rublack of Vinton; his nieces, Rosemarie (George) Petersen of Wallingford and Monika (Dean) White of Vinton; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

 In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Helmut; and his sister, Hildegard Rublack.