ROCHELLE — Walter Kenneth Blackmore, 83, of Rochelle, passed away at home surrounded by family who covered him with love on March 17, 2019.

Walter was born on Nov. 29, 1935 on the Blackmore Family farm in Plymouth County Iowa. He was one of 11 children born to Walter and Hedvig Blackmore.

Walter, along with his wife and three children, moved to Rochelle in January 1969 when the Swift Packing Co, in Sioux City, Iowa, transferred him to the Rochelle plant. Walter retired in 2007, after working more than 40 years in the meat packing industry. 

Walter was proceeded in death by his parents; his wife. Barbara; his brothers, Lawrence, Orville, John and Norman; his sisters, Juanita, Dorothy and Betty; as well as a great-grandson, Kyle Johanning.​

He is survived by his two daughters, Lori (Eric) Johanning of Rochelle, and Lisa (Robert) Noble of Paw Paw; and his son, Lynn (Rebecca) Blackmore of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren, Shawn (Shannon) Johanning, David (Jodi) Johanning, Kenneth (Megan) Johanning, Sam Johanning, Stephanie (AJ) Gonzales, Jeffery (Melissa) Noble, Robert (Amanda) Blackmore, Michael Blackmore and Isaac Blackmore. Walter has 13 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Crippin and Lorine Hawkins. ​

​A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at the Unger Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, with Pastor Joy Alsop officiating. Visitation is being held from 1 to 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday prior to the funeral.  Burial will be at Trinity Memory Gardens.  

Memorials may be made to Unity Hospice or the Rochelle Moose Lodge.

An online guest book is available at www.UngerHorner.com.