Age 78 of South St. Paul
Passed on peacefully on May 4, 2024.
Survived by loving wife of 53 years, Sue; daughters, Vicki (Jamie) Eggleston, Renae (Todd) Elert, and Alison (Joe) Mather; son, Eric (Samantha); 9 grandchildren, David (20), Scott (19), Christopher (18), Lauren (16), Kieryn (16), Stiles (13), Vincent (10), Conley (10), Emily (9). Also many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Wally was a life-long resident of South St. Paul who understood and was the living embodiment of the ideas of family, community, fellowship, and service. Wally loved his family with his entire being and everything he did in life was for them. To Wally, family was more than just those related to him. Family was everyone and anyone who needed a place to feel safe and belong and his home was often filled with people sharing stories and a laugh around the table or on the deck in the yard. To the end, Wally was instrumental in creating time and space for everyone to gather together from the legendary 4th of July backyard pancake breakfasts to the Curmudgeons Coffee Crew, if Wally was involved there was always good food, good coffee, and a good story with a smile.
Wally was a quiet leader who led by example. He was the first to volunteer and brought many others along with him because many hands make light work. Wally organized and led the beef/snack bar for countless years during the Holy Trinity Church Bazaar and was a proud member of the South St. Paul Lions Club selling Christmas trees and working the pancake breakfasts. He was the ultimate Band-Backer helping with countless fundraisers to support the program and trips the marching band would take and even spearheaded the financing of an equipment trailer that he proudly drove all over the country for the band for many years.
As a craftsman, Wally excelled in all aspects of creation from intricate, beautiful furniture pieces to additions and renovations to the family home. He spent over 20 years constructing many theatrical sets and props for the South St. Paul school and community theater programs. He taught his children well and was so very proud that all his children were just as capable of picking up a hammer and saw as they were at cooking a hearty meal.
Wally will be missed, but his legacy of family and service will live on.
Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 am Wednesday, May 8th, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 749 6th Ave. S., So. St. Paul. Visitation 9:30 – 11:30 am prior to Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.
A Luncheon will follow interment starting at 2 PM at the Croatian Hall 445 2nd Avenue South, South St. Paul, MN 55075
