The Memorial Service for Walter "Mickey" Davenport, age 95 of New Leipzig, will be held at 10:30am Monday, November 12, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig with Pastor John Amundson, officiating. Inurnment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors by the Baesler-Achtenberg American Legion Post #211 of New Leipzig.


Walter "Mickey" Davenport was born at Newburg, ND to Raleigh and Emma (Erickson) Davenport on August 3, 1917. After several years, Raleigh moved his family to the Grant County area where he found coal to mine near New Leipzig.


Walter received his education in the New Leipzig school system. During his early high school years, his father died in a vehicle accident. Walter and his brother, Kenneth quit school and took on the responsibility of supporting the family by continuing to operate the coal mine.


In order to fulfill his obligation to serve in the Armed Forces, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 7, 1941. After war was declared, he served in the Philippines and Japanese Theatres as a paratrooper in the Co. F 181 Infantry 11th Airborne Division. Mickey was honorably discharged on February 10, 1946 at Ft. Lewis, WA. Having been exposed to flying, he took flying lessons and bought a Cessna airplane. He freely gave rides to anyone who had the courage to experience his flying tactics. He was an outstanding pilot.


In 1951, Mickey was united in marriage to Ethel Sprecher. They had four children and lived in New Leipzig. He worked for a short time on the construction of the Garrison Dam, but worked many years as manager of the Davenport Coal Mine.


Walter was active in the community. As a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, he served on the church council. He also served as fire chief of the New Leipzig Fire Department and president of the New Leipzig School Board. He was a member of the Commercial Club and the American Legion Baesler-Achtenberg Post #211. While serving on the town council, he was instrumental in upgrading the streets of New Leipzig from gravel to black top.


Walter was known for his even disposition and good sense of humor. He loved to visit with his friends and enjoyed a good game of pinochle while sipping on a Bud. After his retirement, one could often find him driving the countryside in his Dodge Shadow.


He passed from this life on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.


Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Ethel, New Leipzig, ND; three sons, Jerry Davenport, Sidney, MT; Jim Davenport, New Leipzig, ND; and Paul Davenport, St. Paul, MN; one daughter, Debra, (Dr. Mike) Hagan, Billings, MT; six grandchildren, Michelle (Kurt) Gordon, Jeri (Paul) Matthews, Chris, Shannon, Sarah, and Elliot Hagan, one great grandson, Jonathan Matthews; two sisters, Hazel (John) Sitan, Edmonds, WA; and Bernice Marquardt, Edmonds, WA; two sisters-in-law, Irene Earhart, Benson, AZ and Gertie Davenport, Coeur d'Alene, ID; and many nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Kenneth and Vernon; one sister-in-law, Hazel (Vern) Davenport; and one brother-in-law, John (Bernice) Marquardt.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin, ND.