Wally W.
Milbrandt (71) of Hankinson, ND passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at
Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Funeral Services will be Monday, June
23rd at 11:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hankinson, ND with Pastor
Adam Moline officiating. Burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery,
Hankinson. Visitation will be Sunday, June 22nd starting
at 4pm with a prayer service at 6pm all at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Hankinson. There will also be a visitation one hour
prior to the service on Monday at the church. Pallbearers will
be his nephews, Wayne Hartleben, Kevin Medenwald, Tim Medenwald, Todd Buck,
Jamie Milbrandt, a very special friend, Fred Wallock, and a special neighbor,
Stuart Strege. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great
grandchildren who were so, so special to him, and Rick Mattson and all his
wonderful friends at United Hardware.
Wally was born
April 25, 1943 in Veblen, SD, the son of Elroy & Ann (Hrdlicka) Milbrandt.
He was baptized on May 23, 1943 and confirmed on April 14, 1957 both at
Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Hankinson. He grew up on a farm southwest
of Hankinson, attending school in Hankinson and graduating from Hankinson High
School in 1961, where he also was very involved in athletics.
Wally married
DiAnn (Buck) on August 11, 1962 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hankinson.
Wally worked for Elroy Muehler’s Turkey Farm, Cargill, Fenske Feed &
Grain, Hankinson Lumber, and in 1983 managed Don’s Hardware until 1992 when he
and DiAnn purchased the store. Wally loved his “Wally’s Trustworthy
Hardware” store. He thoroughly enjoyed helping his customers, enjoying
visiting with everyone who walked through the doors, and loved shaking dice for
a bottle of pop. Retiring in 2010 was very hard, but soon found out
retirement meant spending much, much more time with his wonderful family.
Wally enjoyed
hunting (especially with his boys) and was an avid sports fan and player.
He loved cheering for the Twins and his beloved Dallas Cowboys.
Wally is well known statewide by many, often being called the “best third
baseman ever”. He and his brother, Larry, were known as the “M&M Boys”
with Wally on third base and Larry on first. He was very, very proud
playing on “his” team especially the famous Dick’s Bar team that won 3 state
championships, participated in three regional and one national tournament.
He was proud of being named “Most Valuable Player” at the Rob Markuson
Memorial Tournament in Valley City that boasted 27 different teams. His
most cherished accomplishment was being inducted into the North Dakota Softball
Hall of Fame in 1994, joining his brother, Larry, who was inducted two years
prior. He really beamed when he was able to play on a team with his sons,
Scott and Tom. Wally retired from his favorite sport when he reached 60
years of age.
Wally is
survived by his wife, DiAnn, of 511/2 years; Daughter, Lori (Scott)
Althoff, Pasco, WA; Son, Scott (Vicki) Milbrandt, Kindred, ND; Daughter, Stacy
(Dale) Boyer, Savage, MN; Son, Thomas (Amy) Milbrandt, Tower City, ND.
Eight grandchildren, Whitney (Matt) Arnold, Austin Althoff, Nicholas
& Paige Milbrandt, Krissy (Eric) Wasness, Nic Boyer, Annabelle &
Brynleigh Milbrandt. Three great-grandchildren, Caleb & Kinsley
Arnold and Oliver Wasness. Brother, Larry (Joyce) Milbrandt, Hankinson,
ND; Sister, Shirley (LeRoy) Hartleben, Ely, MN. Sister-in-law, Janice (Dale)
Medenwald, Wahpeton, ND; Sister-in-law, Marcy Buck, Fairmount, ND.
Numerous nieces and nephews.
Wally was
preceded in death by his parents, Elroy and Ann, his mother &
father-in-law, Clemens & Amanda Buck, brother-in-law Mervin Buck, and an
infant brother.
We love you
Dad! Go Cowboys!
