Wally Stern

Wallace Ralph Stern died on July 4th in Omaha Nebraska at the age of 87. Visitation will be at the Walter's Funeral Home from 12-1pm on July 19th. Burial will follow at 1:30 pm at the Unity Lutheran Cemetery of rural Freeman.

Wally raised three children, Heather Mills (Joe), Randal Stern (Kirsten) and Kim LaFramboise (Mark). He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Alex Narducci, James LaFramboise, Charlie LaFramboise, Rowan Stern and sister Betty Larson. He is preceded in death by his wife Marlene Stern, father Leonard Stern, and mother Tillie Stern.

Wally was born August of 1935 near Freeman, SD and lived on the family farm until attending college at South Dakota State University in Brookings. From college he enlisted in the Army Reserves/Guard for a short time, opening the way to his 25-plus year Civil Engineer career with the Army Corps of Engineers. A career studying structural integrity and flow of our waterways and dams, which took him to many parts of the United States and even Swaziland South Africa. He retired from the Corps of Engineers but continued to consult from time to time when needed.

His passion for God, the church, and helping people led Wally to engage in many volunteer activities over the years to include Meals on Wheels, Omaha Correctional Bible Study program, mentoring students on Engineering at Bennington High School, and picking up leftover bread/food at local Panera and Hy-Vee stores to deliver to homeless shelters in town. He also joined Gideons International and participated in organizing many activities for the program.

Over the years, Wally enjoyed spending time each year at the Oaklawn Park horse races with colleagues from the Corps. He also loved the mountains and took annual trips to the YMCA Camp of the Rockies with his family. When he wasn’t busy with work and volunteering, Wally loved to talk about sports and spend time with his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name at Gideons International (Gideons.org) or at the Nebraska Humane Society (Nehumanesociety.org).