Walter Clesle

WALTER CLESLE, age 81, of Algonquin, formerly of Park Ridge, IL, passed away at his home, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Monday evening, January 6, 2014. He was born one of ten children in Hosenruck, Thurgau in Switzerland, the son of Johannes and Frida (Gerber) Clesle. Walter grew up in Hosenruck and attended locals while helping with chores on the family farm. He also was a meat delivery boy riding his bicycle with seventy pounds of meat on his back through the Alps making deliveries far and wide, sometimes covering 20-25 miles a day. As a part of their educational culture, students attended secondary school before having the option to attend a trade school. Following his compulsory service in the military where he became a decorated sharp shooter, Walter chose to study cooking in Geneva, Switzerland and learned quite a bit of French along the way. Walter crossed the pond in 1954 and used his cooking skills in the kitchen of the Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL, as saucier. It wasn’t long after before he was drafted into the United States Army where he worked as a cook and was stationed for a time in Panama. While there, Walter’s ear for foreign language was tested when he picked up Spanish at the local YMCA. Walter was twice lucky in love marrying Holly Anderson in 1960. They began their new life together in Chicago for a time. They were blessed with two boys, Kurt Walter and Jason Andrew as they made a home in Park Ridge, IL. They went their separate ways after a time but Walter found a home for his heart when he married Margaret Boren in 1990. They moved to Algonquin in 1992. Walter worked as a general manager for all of Carson’s 23 restaurants between Illinois and Indiana until 1988 before managing The Milk Pail in Dundee, IL. Walter retired in 1996. As a young man, Walter not only knew his way around the kitchen but the garden as well. His elaborate gardens burst with flowers and vegetables, filling the table and pantry each season. Not only was Walter excellent with languages, but also in the art of Judo, able to kick above his head into his seventies. In later years, Walter joined Margaret helping run a floral business out of their home, traveling to exhibitions in a tri-state area. His love of travel was born in his youth, but flourished in later years with Margaret during their trips to Mexico and throughout Europe. Walter loved animals and they loved him back creating special bonds with animals of all shapes and sizes. Above all, Walter loved his family and especially his grandchildren. He taught them how to find their way around the kitchen, making sure they learned not only the basics but a few secrets as well. He will forever be missed and never be forgotten. He is survived by his wife Margaret and her son Wes Boren, Two sons: Kurt (Ginger) Clesle and their daughters, Katie, Kara and Grace and Jason (Colleen) Clesle; Six siblings:Fritz (Hanni) Clesle, Hulda Haettenschwiler, Werner (Maria) Clesle,Nelli (Fritz) Eigenmann, Ruth (Hans) Bachmann and Heidi (Alois) Sonderer;Many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family on both sides of the pond. He is preceded in death by his parents, Johannes and Frida. Three siblings: Paul Clesle, Hans Clesle and Rose Habegger Clesle. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with a memorial service to celebrate Walter’s life, Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Fox Valley Christian Church in Batavia, IL. Rev. Dan Fields, pastor of the church, and Rev. Dave Radin, pastor of Lifeline Christian Church, will officiate. Private family interment will follow in Switzerland at a later date.

Fox Valley Christian Church, 40W150 Main St., Batavia 60510. 10-11am, January 18th

Switzerland