A visitation will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on June 1, 2024, at 12:30 PM with service starting at 2 PM.

Wallace Eugene McDaniel passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD with family by his side. Wally was fighting a battle with cancer and a stroke took his life.

Wally was born on March 21, 1941, in Denver Colorado to John and Bertha (Torkelson) McDaniel. His memories there include pulling a little wagon to the ice house to bring ice back up to the Ranch House where they worked. From there, the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Wally attended school, graduating from Central High School. He went on to attend one year of study at Creighton College and later one year at Nettleton Business College with a computer degree.

In the years after high school, Wally was married to his first wife, Carol Crowl Roe. Together, Wally and Carol had 3 children, Kimberly, Scott and Robin. This union later dissolved.

In 1968, Wally moved to St. Paul, MN to work at Ramsey County Hospital in the computer department. Wally met his current wife, Dianne Paulson McDaniel in 1969 and they were married on December 19, 1970, at Bethany Lutheran Church near Bergen. Wally worked at the Chrysler Company Headquarters until 1973 when he decided he wanted to pursue his lifelong dream creating and building cabinets and furniture. Together, Wally and Dianne moved to the rural Gillie farm, and he set up shop there. Later they moved his business to Bergen and then to Jackson on the same acreage where they lived. Wally loved building pieces of furniture and cabinets for several customers throughout the years. He semi-retired and then retired soon after Dianne retired from teaching. The two of them then pursued a second dream of traveling. Together they visited 70 plus countries around the world, reaching all the continents except Antarctica. This really was Wally and Dianne's passion besides family.

Wally was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Church by Pastor Marlan Johnson who agreed to a winter Baptism in the Des Moines River. A hole was cut in the ice and Wally was baptized, not full immersion, just a splash of water. That always meant a lot to Wally. This was in the late 1970's. Wally and Dianne worked together with the youth of Bethany in its Sunday School and Luther League program. Wally also served as Church Council President. Wally was his wife's right hand in all projects she would get them in to, bazaars, Church anniversaries, Christmas programs, etc.

Wally was a quiet, unassuming man who served as a listener for many. His family was so very important to him and he had room for so many in his family. He loved spending time with all of them, young and old. He loved traveling and was game to go just about anywhere at anytime. Taking care of his lawn, reading and working on his computer all gave him joy

Wally is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dianne. His children Scott (Shelly) of Jackson, MN and Robin Grove of Ellisville, IL, Host children Christopher (Elisabeth) Holm of Oslo, Norway, Yukiko Dyer of Los Angeles, CA and Lillfred Annie (Pal) Saether of Trondheim, Norway. His grandchildren Randy (Jessica) Davis of Harrisonville, MO, Marshal Davis of Smithfield, IL, Nathan McDaniel of Jackson, MN and Kendall McDaniel of Ellisville, IL. Great Grandchildren Zayden, Bryson, Scarlett, Waylon and Declan. Sisters and Brother-in-laws Janet (Wayne) Hunter, Curtis (Myra) Paulson, David Paulson, Douglas Paulson, Norma Paulson and many dearly loved nieces and nephews.

Wally was preceded in death by his daughter Kimberly, son-in-law Eric Grove, his parents John and Bertha McDaniel, parents-in-law Garfield and Olive Paulson, brother Vernon Torkelson, brothers and sisters-in-law Gloria and Richard Klassen, Carole and Lowell Hansen, Garner Paulson and Mary Beth Paulson.

Blessed be the memory of Wallace Eugene McDaniel.