Gary Gene Waller
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On January 25, 2021 @ 1:38 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 9 Comments
Gary Gene Waller was reunited in heaven with his loving wife, two siblings, and his parents on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Born to Orin and Ruth (Hoffman) Waller of Nelsonville, Wisconsin on May 31 of 1945, Gary was the youngest of three children.
The family moved in 1947 after building a new home in Iola, Wisconsin. It was in Iola where Gary graduated Iola-Scandinavia High School in 1963 before attending and graduating from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in 1967. Soon after, summer employment with H.O. Wolding Co. led to full-time supervisory work in the pickle business in Iola and Pulaski, Wisconsin; Eaton Rapids, Michigan; Oconto and Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Chaska, Minnesota. Also worth noting… Gary hated pickles. A career shift led to 27 years with Certainteed Corporation in Shakopee prior to retirement in 2009.
It was in Shakopee that Gary met Kathleen Kepp, fell in love, and married. He and Kathy wed on May 9, 1981 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church and the two enjoyed 34 years together until Kathy’s passing in 2015. Gary is survived by his children Andrew (Megan) Waller and Debra (Ethan) Bolstad, along with eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alan, sister Mary, grandson Torian Bolstad, aunts, uncles, several cousins, and dear friends.
Actively serving his church family for years, Gary began and ran the Mount Olive audio-visual program, starting in 1984 and retiring from doing so in 2018. He also spent years on the church council. Gary’s hobbies included model railroading and woodworking. He utilized his talents to build kitchen cabinetry, create a patented corner base cabinet, and construct numerous other features not only in his homes, but also those of many friends and neighbors.
In Gary’s final years, he experienced peripheral artery disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and in his words, “the usual assortment of aches and pains.” When asked how he was feeling, he found humor in an invariable response of “old, fat, and lazy.” Today, we celebrate Gary’s perfect health and joyous activity in heaven.
A visitation will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Shakopee, MN at 10:00 am, immediately followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 28, 2021. We ask that guests abide by the state mask policy and be respectful of COVID-related concerns by socially distancing while in the church. While all are invited, you are certainly welcome to send love and pay respects from afar during these difficult times.
Offer Condolence for the family of Gary Gene Waller
Print Obituary & Condolences Condolences for the family of “Gary Gene Waller”
Gary was a classmate and forever a good friend. A unique person in a good sort of way.
When he would come back to his childhood home for their annual family reunion we would generally get together.
Many years ago my wife & I stayed overnight at Gary & Kathy’s home in Mn.
Fond memories growing up and many in our adult life including our get togethers at class reunions.
I will miss our monthly visits on the phone.
Andrew, Megan, Debra, Ethan and families. We are sorry for your loss. Gary has been a good friend of ours and a part of our church family for many years. He truly will be missed.
I am sorry for your loss. I am one of the 42 classmates Gary had in Iola in the 60’s. Gary always was the guy who added humor to the situation and we will miss that at our reunions.
May God give you peace at this time.
I am proud to say that I was a friend and classmate of Gary. I kept in contact with him thru email and an occasional phone call. Always had something funny of the past to talk about. He had a great sense of Humor. Gary will be sadly missed by me and a whole lot of others.
To the Gary Waller Family,
Although we did not know Gary personally, he is part of our family heritage and we pray for his soul. May his family find peace in the best memories. Jean (Leppen) Kinsey & Frank Busta
We are so sorry for your loss of Gary’s presence in your lives here on earth, but are rejoice with you knowing he is experiencing his glorified life with his Savior in Heaven. Blessings to you grieve his passing.
Leo and Cindy Katzner
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. He was a great high school classmate and friend. We know he is in a better place. We. send our condolences to his family.
Sad to hear about the loss of Garry. We have been neighbors of theirs for many years, Just found this out today, March 22. I was Day Care Mom for Andrew and Debbie since they were babies. If I was informed about this, I could have been there for Andrew and Debra. Sadly missed by Bob and Barb Stark.
Click here to print.
Article printed from Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
URL to article: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/gary-gene-waller/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation. All rights reserved.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the Waller family. I was glad to help out in a small way by clearing Gary’s driveway in the winter. I often headed home with treats such as cinnamon rolls or cookies that Gary had baked.. Joann and I appreciated the Thanksgiving meal invites over the years as well. We thank you for your sharing and generosity.