Wallace H. Alm

Wallace Harold Alm (known to his family and friends as 'Wally'), was born January 1, 1917, to Clara and Ivar Alm. He was born in the farming community of Binford, North Dakota, and was the second of three children. Helen, the oldest was only 13 months older than he was. However, the running joke in the family had more to do with the fact that she was born just 9 short months after his parents got married. Seven years after Wally came Jean, the lively song bird of the family. Wally always used to say that she could have made it big. His brotherly pride knew no bounds when it came to her talent.

Around the age of 5, his family moved from Binford to Sutton, and this is where they remained until the stock market crash of '29. His mother's family lived in Canada, so they packed up their belongings and went to live with Clara's four bachelor brothers in Rattner's Saskatchewan, Canada. Because their visa was not extended past the year for which it was initially issued, the Canadian government deported them to Fargo, North Dakota. Wally was just 14 years old.

While in Fargo, his father worked as a painter and his mother cooked part time in a café, because the kids were still small and in school. Among his peers, Wally was an easy going, even tempered boy. Some even saw him as a bit of a class clown. Once, in the 6th grade, Wally was asked by his teacher, Mrs. Scoffstead, "Wallace, what was the first thing you learned?" Seeing that this was a biology class, where details are important, Wally stated with a twinkle in his eye, "1+1=2. That is the first thing that I learned." Unfortunately, the teacher did not see the humor and dragged him by his ear to the front of the class where he was made to sit for the remainder of the class period. After that, Wally suddenly became quite popular, and continued to easily make friends.

While biology wasn't his calling or passion, baseball and track were. And boy was he ever good. The principal of Roosevelt High was so impressed with Wally in track and field that he wanted to recruit him to help train athletes at the University of ND. It looked like a scholarship was in Wally's future. Yet, it did not seem meant to be. Wally's father passed away when Wally was a junior in high school. So, Wally dropped out and went to work immediately, supporting his family. It was this honor, commitment and character that would shape the person he would be for the rest of his life.

He took a position at the Powers Hotel in Fargo as a bellhop. His starting salary was $21 a month. He was soon voted by the owners of the hotel to become a Bell Captain. With this promotion also came a pay raise up to $30 a month.

It was there at the Powers that he met Edith Price. Edith and Wally went steady for six years, and then came the war. Edith was quite insistent that they be married before Wally leave for basic training. Yet, the old tried and true sense of right and responsibility spoke loudly to Wally. He told Edith that the only money that he had saved up had to go to his mother. Who knew that this decision would be the turning point for the rest of his life.

Wally enlisted in the United States Army on February 10th, 1942. He and his fellow soldiers landed in France just 11 days after Normandy. While stationed with the 278 ordinance, Wally worked in the supply unit, getting supplies to other soldiers wherever they were needed on the battle front. While he was in Paris, Wally received a letter from Edith Price's mother, telling him that Edith was getting married, to someone else. Shortly after his mother's letter, Edith's "Dear John" missive arrived. And while it was difficult to receive such a letter, Wally always said that he thought it was nice of her mother to let him know.

Back in the States, a friend of Wally's, named Rosella, heard about his break up with Edith. Rosella, being the good friend that she was, decided to cheer up Wally. She wrote to him and told him that she was having a grand time staying at a boarding house in Seattle, Washington. She went on to tell him that she had met the greatest girl, Betty (Harriet Elizabeth) Sprout, and that she was quite a good writer. And, that if Wally wanted, Betty would be happy to write to him and send some smiles his way. Wally agreed, and that was the beginning of a two year relationship through the mail.

After the war, Wally head out west to Seattle to meet Betty for the first time. At first, there didn't seem to be much to talk about, as they were both nervous, but they continued to hit it off. They hit it off so well in fact, that in the summer of 1946, Wally moved to Seattle to marry Betty Sprout. They both chose the 4th of July. Wally said that it was just because it happened to work out that way, but Betty liked to joke that it was so he wouldn't forget their anniversary. They got married in an old Methodist church, downtown Seattle, with about 12 people in attendance. From the ceremony, they headed east to Montana, for a combined honeymoon and the meeting of Betty's family.

Once back in Seattle, Wally and Betty began their life together. Wally started out working for GMC in the parts department and Betty worked for a food distributor downtown Seattle. However, due to having the GI Bill at his disposal, Wally quit working at GMC and enrolled in the carpentry program at Gompers what is now called Wood Technology Center part of Seattle Central Community College. This four year program enabled him to gain an education that provided for his family.

After finishing the journeyman program and beginning to build homes in the Ashworth neighborhood, Wally and Betty welcomed their first child, Gregory. Geoffrey and Kelvin soon followed. Betty quit work to be a fulltime mom, and Wally went on to teach at Gompers for the next 26 years, until his retirement.

After retirement, Wally and Betty spent much of their time golfing, traveling to Yuma and enjoying their sons and grandchildren. Family was a never ending source of joy for Wally. He always beamed with pride when speaking of his son's and their families.

In 2002, Wally lost his eldest son to cancer, and in 2004, his wife of 57 years passed away. Even amidst his pain, Wally continued to carry on with the dedication and fervor for life that shines so brightly through him.

For last six years, Wally lived with his son Kelvin and daughter in law Arlyn out in Carnation, Washington. Being surrounded by his family brought him much joy, and he always waited in anticipation for a call, email or visit from any member of his family.

In his time, as we all knew that it would be - Wally left this world for the next. On July 4, 2013, at the age of 96, Wallace Harold Alm passed peacefully in his sleep with his family by his side. It was quite fitting that on the day he left this earth, it would have been his and Betty's 67th wedding anniversary. What a beautiful way to be reunited with his son and wife.

Although we as a family grieve the loss of Wally, we rest in knowing that he lived a full and beautiful life. He cherished each and every one of us, and constantly reassured us of that love. If he were here today, he would encourage each of us to do the same. Support and devoted yourself to your families. Do the right thing, and "continue to be the wonderful person that you are."