Walter C. Pahls, 95, of Salina, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 16, 2026. Walt was born March 15, 1931, to Adolph Sr. and Margaret Pahls on their rural farm west of Tipton, Kansas.

Walt enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and married Joan Eilert in June 1953 in Beloit, Kansas. The couple moved to Bryan Air Force Base in Texas, where they started their family. Walt attended Nebraska State Vocational School for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in Milford, Nebraska. He returned to Salina and worked for Jess Ganson Heating & Air Conditioning. In 1964 he became an instructor at Salina Vo-Tech, where he taught air conditioning and refrigeration for 14 years. He started his own business, Walt’s Refrigeration, in 1978 and retired in 1994.

Walt enjoyed 65 years of marriage with Joan until she passed away in 2018. He is survived by their seven children: Sharon Johnston (Byron), Ken Pahls, Laurie McLaughlin (Greg), Ron Pahls (Mary), Margie Hilkemann (Kevin), Doug Pahls, and Kevin Pahls; 21 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21, with family receiving friends at 5:00 p.m. and a rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Ryan Mortuary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 118 N. 9th St., Salina, Kansas.

Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 2078 E. Iron Ave., Salina, Kansas. A luncheon will follow the graveside service at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Salina VFW Post 1432, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th St., Salina, Kansas.