Martin Walsh III Obituary

Martin Joseph Walsh III died peacefully on 09-22-2022 at the age of 91 at his home at Edgewater Retirement Community in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Marty was born February 25, 1931, in Hartford, Connecticut to Catherine (Conley) Walsh and Martin J. Walsh II.

Marty was reared in New Britain, Connecticut and graduated from New Britain High School, class of 1949 and earned a B.A. degree from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont in 1954. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force at that time serving two and one-half years. In 1960, Marty came to Des Moines, Iowa as a sales representative for the P and F Corbin Division of The American Hardware Corporation where he met Katherine “Katie” Kurtz and they married in 1963.

Marty invested his entire career in the builder’s hardware industry in which he took immense pride. In 1975, Marty and Katie purchased the builders hardware division of L.H. Kurtz Company and formed Kurtz Walsh Builders Hardware Company. Marty’s trio of hard work, honesty and integrity built the business into what is now Walsh Door and Security with offices in Des Moines, Iowa City and Kansas City, Missouri.

Marty, most proud of his Irish heritage, was a generous and compassionate man who was dedicated to helping others in a quiet manner. He attributed his success to his strong work ethic and his Catholic faith. He was honored to have served as a member of the diocesan papal-visit steering committee that operated with respect to the 1979 visit of Pope Saint John Paul II to Des Moines, Iowa. Marty was proud to serve on the board of directors of the Iowa Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews as well as on the board of directors of Homesteaders Life Company. He enjoyed his membership in the Cambio Club and St. Michael’s College always held a special place in his heart.

Des Moines was home to Marty for over 60 years. Marty and Katie spent winters in Naples, Florida at Bear’s Paw Country Club and summers on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota. Together they established lifelong friendships and made lasting memories. God, family and friends were Marty’s priority!

Marty is survived by his wife Katie of 59 years; children Martin J. Walsh IV (Suzanne), Brian K. Walsh (Melynda),and Meaghan Walsh Schneider (Dan); grandchildren Jack Walsh, Lizzie Walsh, Nick Walsh, and Bridget Walsh Schneider; his sister Kathleen Walsh Fagan of Connecticut; and many nieces and nephews. Marty was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joanne Walsh Brennan.

Visitation will be 4:00- 6:00P.M.on 09-26-2022 at Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30A.M. on 09-27-2022 at St. Augustin Catholic Church,545 42nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa.
Interment following the Mass will take place at Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa and will be followed by a luncheon at 1:00P.M. at Wakonda Club, 3915 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorials of choice are welcome or to: The Martin J. Walsh III Scholarship Fund, St. Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, PO Box 256, Colchester, Vermont 05439.


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