ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Former Great Falls resident and World War II Army Air Force veteran Walter Dudra, 87, died of natural causes Friday in Englewood, Colo.
At his request, a private service will be held at a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is handling local arrangements.
Walter was born Nov. 28, 1921, in Ranshaw, Pa., and attended Coal Township High School and Drexel University, where he earned a B.S. in business administration. He spent 3½ years in the Army Air Force during World War II, mostly in the South Pacific.
He married Gloria Harvat in 1947 in Livingston, Mont. They later divorced.
Walter worked in the buying office of William T. Knott in New York City, was manager of Hennessy Co. in Livingston, buyer and division manager of The Paris of Montana, and the owner/operator of Fabrics by Pincushion and later Interior Décor Center. He also owned and operated stores in Billings, Bozeman, Kalispell, Glendive and Lewistown, and D&S Fabrics in Great Falls, plus 15 mail-order outlets in Montana. He sold his last store in 1995. He also taught interior design and retail management at Great Falls Commercial College.
Walter held several elected offices and memberships in various organizations. He was one of the original members of the Great Falls Advertising Federation, and participated in every C.M. Russell Art Auction.
He was an avid traveler and visited more than 120 countries. He also was an avid collector of antiques, dating back 4,500 years. He loved cooking and gardening, and his garden twice was recognized as the number one garden in the city. He also was a noted interior designer.
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Vogel of Englewood; sons Roger Dudra of Lewistown, and David Dudra of Denver, Colo.; a sister, Jean Spadel of Shamokin, Pa.; and three grandchildren, Dr. Timothy Vogel, Dr. Rebecca Vogel and Deborah Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ned and Susan Dudra; sisters Dorothy Morningwake and Betty Corespodi; and a brother, Daniel Dudra.
Memorials are suggested to the C.M. Russell Museum, 400 13th St. N., Great Falls, MT 59401; Great Falls Beautification Association c/o the Community Beautification Association (CBA), Attn: Jodie Tooley, 2800 Upper River Road, Great Falls, MT 59405; or Great Falls Symphony, 11 3rd St. N., Great Falls, MT 59401-3103.
Condolences may be sent to Barbara Vogel, 3 Gooseberry Lane, Englewood, CO 80113. Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
Published in Great Falls Tribune on 7/11/2009