Ralph D. Wallin, 71
Ralph Donovan Wallin, 71, of Pepin, Wis., died Tuesday, July 31, at his home in Pepin.
- Ralph D. Wallin, 71
Ralph Donovan Wallin, 71, of Pepin, Wis., died Tuesday, July 31, at his home in Pepin.
He was born Jan. 15, 1941, in Plum City, Wis., son of Dallas and Mamie Bradley Wallin. He attended school at Bogus Creek and graduated from Pepin High School. He attended the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse for 2 years before joining the United States Army. Following his service in the Army, he lived in Minneapolis, Minn., where he worked for Thermo King until 1971. On Oct. 28, 1967, he married Mary Vagasky in Minneapolis. In 1971, they moved to Pepin and bought the Pepin Hotel. In 1984, the hotel burned down, and in 1985, they bought Arnie’s Bar and renamed it Ralph’s Bar. He also farmed from the mid ‘70s into the ‘80s. Ralph was a school bus driver for the Pepin Schools for several years and also drove commercially over 10 years for Lee Lines in Red Wing, Minn., until he retired in 2006.
Ralph loved the camaraderie he had with his friends and customers but what came first were his kids, his grandkids, and his family, and the smile they put on his face. He never missed his kids’ sporting events, and he loved planning and organizing the yearly group trips to Mexico, Las Vegas, and to Green Bay for the Packer games. He will be remembered for his golden voice, his hardy laugh, and his huge smile he always had for his customers and friends.
Survived by wife, Mary Wallin of Pepin; children, Anne (Dan) Murray of Pepin, Brad (Lana) Wallin of Prescott, Wis., Jennifer (Tim) McCormick of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Allison and Nicholas Murray, Makenzie and Dallas Wallin.
Preceded in death by parents, Dallas and Mamie Bradley Wallin; sister, Marlene Wallin.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pepin. Pastor Joel Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Lund Mission Covenant Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of service at the church on Saturday.
Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand is assisting the family.
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