Dr. Walter C. Koers (Wally) earned his ticket to the big feedlot in the sky on September 28, 2025.
Wally was born November 9, 1942, to Julius and Leona Koers in Gillette, Wyoming. He grew up in Wyoming and Rapid City, South Dakota, graduating from Rapid City High School in 1960. After deciding he did not want to be a dentist or an engineer, he studied animal science at South Dakota State, pausing only to marry his high school sweetheart Virginia Feiock in 1962. Wally and Ginny became ranchers and parents to their son Todd in 1964, requiring Wally to endure Ginny learning how to cook. They spent several years in Dupree, South Dakota where Wally was the Ziebach County agent who went everywhere with his dog Chipper. Wally, Ginny, Todd, and Chipper brought daughter Kristi home to their little pink house in Dupree in 1968.
Fulfilling his destiny as a forever Husker in 1968, Wally began the best years of his life earning a PhD at the University of Nebraska under his lifelong friend and idol Walt Woods. While studying and researching, he and Ginny welcomed their third child, “the only true Husker in the family,” Michele (Shelli). After graduation, Dr. Koers worked at Texas A&M as an assistant professor and researcher until moving his family to Kansas to work with Cargill as a feedlot consultant in 1975. In 1977 Wally and family took a leap and started Koers Consulting Service, allowing him to do what he loved every minute of every day. He was the epitome of a man who never had to work a day in his life because he had a job he loved. Animal sunrise was the start of his day. He loved the cows. He was the cows. He loved everything about the art and science of feeding the cows, and he thrived in the satisfaction of building relationships with feedlots and ranches across the country. As the company grew, he obtained his pilot’s license and for a time flew from feedlot to feedlot allowing him to join his family more easily. He never missed a swim meet, concert, graduation, recital, or ski trip. In 1988 he founded Bos Technica Research Services, and with Dr. Shane Davis brought research precision to the feedlot industry which is still thriving to this day.
Wally lived for cows and family. He lived to watch his children and grandchildren grow and achieve. He loved spending time with family at the cabin in Colorado and attending K-State and Nebraska football games. His last day on earth was spent watching college football and cheering the Wildcats to victory. He greatly enjoyed drinking espresso and visiting coffee shops where everybody was a friend. There are few coffee shops on his travels that he has not visited, and few espresso machines that he has not scrutinized.
Wally was preceded in death by his wife Ginny, son Todd, his parents, his stepmother Norene Koers, his brother Doug Fitch, his brother Gary Fitch, his grandson Joseph, and his dogs Chipper, Bruno, Daisy, Meg, Pete, Bull, Dixie, and Nicky. He is survived by his daughters Kristi (Mark) Weiss, Shelli (Ed Ploy) Bell, sister Cindy (Doug) Strohmer, grandchildren Sophie (James Sharpe) Bell, Taylor Koers, Matthew Weiss, Leo Bell, Charlie Weiss, Rylee Koers, business partner/friend Shane Davis and manager/friend Max Vandament.
A service and luncheon to memorialize this larger-than-life Husker loving, coffee drinking legend will take place at 10:30AM on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Salina, KS. To honor Wally’s spirit, guests are invited to wear red or Husker attire if they wish.
In consideration of family and friends who are unable to travel, the service will be live streamed. A private family burial will follow. Links to service streaming can be found at: www.redeemer-elca.org
Ryan Mortuary is managing funeral arrangements. Any memorial contributions can be made to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center (511 South Santa Fe, Suite A, Salina, KS 67401) in Salina in honor of Ginny and Todd.