Gary von Wald

Gary A. von Wald, age 72, of South Haven, MN, died on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at his home. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 2:30 PM at the First Baptist Church in Cokato, MN with Pastor Dan Swanson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Church. Gary Allyn von Wald was born on May 27, 1936, the son of Glenn and Dora (Wickum) von Wald in Faribault, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church and attended the Worthington Church of Christ. He received his education at Kenyon High School, graduating in 1954. He attended Hamline University for two years and the University of Minnesota for one year. He was united in marriage to Juanita Todd on August 31, 1956 in Hutchinson, MN. Together they lived in Minneapolis in 1956 where he worked for Honeywell until moving to Faribault in 1957. He worked there as a deputy for the Rice County Sheriff until 1961, when they moved to Worthington. From 1961 until 1991 they lived in Worthington and Gary worked for the Minnesota State Patrol. He retired as a Sgt. in the Weight Div. and moved to Lake Francis in 1991 where they have resided until the present time. Together for the past 17 years, they spent three months of the year in the south. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cokato, MN. Gary was a member of Pheasants Forever and loved pheasant hunting. He was an avid sports fan and played fast pitch softball, bowled and golfed. He was a devoted husband and father, and family always came first. Gary coached his children’s little league baseball and was the biggest fan of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed family vacations and spending time together at the lake. Gary is survived by his wife Juanita of South Haven, MN, children; Steven (and Barbara) von Wald of Cabot, AR, Scott "Moose" (and Wendy) von Wald of Rochester, MN, Stu von Wald of Owatonna, MN, Stacy (and Mark) Pauly of Arlington, MN, and Susan (and Dave) Fernholz of Madison, MN, 9 grandchildren; Hunter and Dora von Wald, Sam and Emily von Wald, Eric von Wald, Gretchen Fernholz, Zac, Todd and Dylan Pauly, sisters; Gwendolyn (and Gene) Maus of the Villages, FL, Sharyn (and Allen) Holcomb of Mahtomedi, MN, and in-laws; Kay (and Carlie) Karg of Hutchinson, MN, Karen Gustafson, Sandi Todd of Hutchinson, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.