Wallace Christ

Wallace “Wally” G. Christ, 77, passed away peacefully Monday evening, September 30, 2024, at Accura of Bancroft in Bancroft with his daughters by his side. Memorial services for Wally, of Bancroft and formerly of Lakota, will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakota. Inurnment with military honors will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakota and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Those wishing to view the service may do so on the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a24105886086767.

 Wally’s time in this world has come to a close. His soul has gone on to that realm in the west beyond the twilight and evening star, his spirit has returned to God who gave it, and he is at his eternal home. It began on a cold fall morning, Wednesday, November 7, 1946 when he was born at Dolmage Hospital Buffalo Center with Dr. R.L. Williams attending. He was born to Walter H. and Leona T. (Brandt) Christ. As a young child, he became afflicted with polio, spending time in the Fort Dodge hospital.

Wally graduated from Lakota High School in 1964 and later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Mortuary Science. He was drafted into the United States Army and left immediately after completing college and was stationed in Korea, where he worked in an office capacity. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and returned to Iowa to farm with his father and worked in several funeral homes.

Wally met his future wife, Marilyn, while she was teaching vocal music at Lakota School, and as Legion Post Commander, Wally needed special music for the Memorial Day program. Marilyn agreed to sing, and a one-time gig turned into 30 years of Memorial Days working together and over 40 years of marriage. Memorial Day would become a family affair with each member contributing, be it singing, playing the piano, or doing a reading.

On July 17, 1976, Wally was united in marriage to Marilyn Thompson at the United Methodist Church in Fairmont. This marriage was blessed with three daughters, Kristin, Kathleen, and Karen. After their marriage, Wally and Marilyn lived outside Lakota, where they farmed and raised hogs. They lived there until retiring to a home on the lake in East Chain, MN. Wally was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was only 50, a disease that would force him to give up his beloved farming and funeral directing much sooner than he would have liked. After Marilyn’s passing, Wally moved to Accura of Bancroft, where he lived until departing this life.

The care and compassion Wally received at Accura was unparalleled. His family cannot thank the entire staff enough for the attentiveness he received; they cared not just for Wally but for the whole family, two and four legged. The family would also like to thank Gentiva hospice for giving Wally extra comfort in his final months.  Visits always included lots of singing, a beautiful way to connect us all together. Despite his Parkinson’s and dementia intensifying, Dad still knew every word to every hymn.

Wally was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakota, where he was active on the church board and choir. He was also a member of Lakota Legion Post 652, where he was the commander for 40 years. He was a Shriner and Mason; Sir Wally was Knighted a Knights of Templar on May 1, 1999.  He loved music, classic cars, and snowmobiling and was part of the Lakota Snow Eagles. Wally was not one to talk much, but had a way with words, especially when writing and quite the sense of humor.

Family was also important to Wally, rarely missed a concert, play, musical, or dance performance. He taught his daughters to polka in the living room while they stood on his feet. No Valentine’s Day was complete without flowers and chocolates, and it wasn’t officially Christmas until the collectable toy tractors were under the tree, wrapped as always in newspaper.  He could often be found in the kitchen late at night eating ice cream.

Those left to cherish his memory include his two daughters, Kathleen Christ, Karen Christ Aalgaard, son-in-law Adam Aalgaard; his favorite sister, Arliss “Rusti” Hessig; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends; and his two Desotos, a 1955 Fire Dome christened Hildegard and a 1960 Adventurer. He was preceded in death by cherished wife Marilyn, eldest daughter Kristin Christ, his parents, Walter and Leona Christ; parents-in-law, Merwin and Helen Thompson; brother-in-law, Roger Thompson and nephew; James Hessig.