OBITUARY
Walter John Gillund
5 August, 1943 – 6 November, 2020
Wally Gillund was born August 5, 1943 in Minneota, Minnesota to Walter and Mary (Tholen) Gillund and sadly passed away on November 6, 2020 at the age of 77.
Wally grew up on a farm and graduated from Minneota High School in 1961. After high school, Wally attended Universal Trade School in Omaha, NE after which time he began a successful 49-year career as owner and operator of Lehman Service Company.
56 years ago, Wally married Rita DeMartelaere starting their life in Lincoln, NE. Together they enjoyed raising their family, traveling, gardening and more recently NASCAR. They love spending time with their grandkids and great grandkids. Wally especially enjoyed having the little ones sit on his lap. He also enjoyed many years of fishing, boating and time with friends.
Wally will be deeply missed by his wife Rita, his four daughters Connie (Brent) Wenzl, Janell Gillund, Rhonda (Mark) Hinrichs and Christy (Randy) Koranda, twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren. His love of family and friends has inspired us all.
Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no visitation and a private service for immediate family on Wednesday, November 25 at 10 am. Extended family and friends are welcome to join through live stream on Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery's Facebook page.
Services
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Private Family Memorial Service
Wednesday, 25 November , 2020
Memories
Walter John Gillund
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYVal and Ron Vlaminck
November 25, 2020
Hugs and prayers to the Gillund family. Rest in peace Wally.
Rhonda, Jason, Blake & Kendall Dixon
November 24, 2020
I’d return a bottle of booze for you any day and pay all your missed tolls online if it meant one more get together. Taken too soon but so many laughs and memories fill our hearts of one awesome uncle! I hope you’re fishing with a highball close by. Cheers, Uncle Wally. Until we meet again. ❤️
Greg & MaryJo Gillund
November 16, 2020
Taken way to soon, May the fish be biting and the highballs be flowing! Thoughts and prayers to family and friends. Rest easy Uncle Wally. Till we meet again..
Abbey Baker
November 15, 2020
I am very sorry for your loss. Wally was a great man, and was a lot of fun to be around him. I know I enjoyed visiting him and Rita when ever I could. He will be deeply missed. Sending lots of love and sympathy to all of his loved ones. Will also be praying 🙏 for you all to get through the holidays.
Shirley Senden
November 13, 2020
Rita and family. We are so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Wally. Prayers for your family.
Charleen (Kleine) Helgesen
November 11, 2020
Rita and family, There are no words to express how sorry I am for your loss! I have memories of you and Wally dating and attending our junior prom! I was hoping we could get together and socialize since we are now spending our winters in Lincoln. Hugs to you! We will get together sometime this winter! Love to all, Char
Jeff Holmberg
November 11, 2020
Wally was the best dang neighbor and one heck of a good fishing Buddy!
He was a wonderful friend and an extremely dedicated husband, father and grandfather. My life was enriched significantly because of my friendship with Wally.
I was fortunate to be his fishing partner on many trips, but especially on his last trip! We both claimed it to be the best time of our life!
I miss you Pal!
RIP!
Jeff Holmberg
Jo Kleine
November 10, 2020
Just wish I could have shared 1 more margarita with you! Will miss you big brother! 🌹
Tom Hardesty
November 10, 2020
Rita and Family,
Debbie and I are deeply saddened by Wally's passing, our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Wally was more than just a friend he was a mentor to me as I started out in the trade. There were many things I could point to that would show what kind of a man he was but the one thing I will always remember was the day he handed me a key to his shop and said if you need something get it and let me know so we can get it replaced.
We shared a lot of laughs on those Carrier Trips and we will carry those memories with us through out or days!
Rest in peace Wally!
Tom and Debbie Hardesty
Anita (Tholen) Cauwels
November 10, 2020
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you!
Marian Lowry
November 10, 2020
Rest In Peace Wally
Mary Jo Peiman
November 9, 2020
James and I are so sorry to hear about Wally’s passing. Our hearts go out to the whole family. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. He was a such a nice man who loved his family deeply. He will be greatly missed. Remember to cherish all the good memories you had with him.
Debi (DeMartelaere) Martone
November 9, 2020
Dear Rita,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you and your family.
Hugs from Romeo, MI.
Shelley Schroeder (Melichar)
November 9, 2020
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Wally’s sudden passing, I grew up on Fieldcrest Way with the Gillund girls and their parents, and have such fond memories of Wally and his wife Rita. I love that after all these years they have stayed in the home they raised their beautiful family! My heart aches for all of you and hope that a lifetime of beautiful memories will help fill the void in all of your hearts. Hugs and prayers to you Rita, Janell, Connie, Christy, and Rhonda🙏
❤️ Shelley (Melichar) Schroeder
Steve Wilkey
November 9, 2020
Wally was not only a good customer....most importantly, he was my good friend. We spent a lot of time together professionally and also a lot of time, together, in a fishing boat, solving the worlds problems. Oh, the memories we created and the fun we had. He was great to be around. He always brought cheer to any get-together, no matter what the occasion. He was great at what he did, whether it be professionally, or as a friend and family man. There never were any insurmountable problems with Wally. He always found a solution. He adored his family, you could tell. I will miss him, greatly.
Kevin DeMartelaere
November 9, 2020
You’re not only my uncle you’re also my godfather. Rest in peace
GINA PHILPOT
November 9, 2020
Sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed. Sending prayers to the family.
Ryan, Heidi, Ronin & Kamryn Runia
November 9, 2020
Uncle Wally left us too soon but so many great memories to keep him with us. Thinking of all of you!
Neil & Jewel Staberg
November 8, 2020
May the memories of all the wonderful times you enjoyed with Wally sustain your family as you face the future. May you all find comfort, strength and peace in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are in our prayers. Neil & Jewel
Dean and Carl Moll
November 8, 2020
We are so very sorry to hear about Wally’s death and want to offer your family our deepest condolences. Wally was a big part of the Gillund cousins memories from childhood…which we remember fondly. We are so very sorry for your loss and know that Wally will be terribly missed! We hope that you all feel surrounded by God’s peace and love.
With sincere sympathy,
Dean and Carla Moll
Daniel & LouAnn Hembree
November 7, 2020
Rest In Peace Uncle Wally.
Anne Sharpe
November 7, 2020
I am so very sorry for your loss. He was a real blessing to grandma when she was alive, always helping her right away when needed. May God bless you and comfort you and you'll be in my prayers.❤
-Anne Sharpe