Dad Goes Home

On June 25, 2011 my Dad, Wally Haglund went into the hospital because he had an aneurysm. The next morning, while Emily held his hand, he went home to be with Jesus. Although saying goodbye on this earth is never easy, I'm thankful for my Dad and many good memories.

The following are pictures of some of those memories:

Dad and all of us boys

Mom and Dad


Dad on Big Chippewa Lake


Dad and Mom

Dad's Obituary
Published June 28, 2011 in the West Central Tribune

Waldemar Daniel Haglund was born April 18, 1927, in Brandon, the son of Olaf and Ellen (Peterson) Haglund. Wally grew up in the Brandon area where he went to a country school. He moved to the Kerkhoven area when he was in the eighth grade and helped with his uncle’s farm and attended Kerkhoven High School. Wally entered the United States Army on Nov. 1, 1945. He served in World War II as a military police officer in occupation forces in France and Germany.

He married Hildegard Reuert in Wurzburg, Germany, on June 4, 1949. Wally received an honorable discharge in August 1949 and they moved to the United States that September. They lived and farmed in Brandon. This union was blessed with six sons. In 1954, they moved to Kerkhoven and did crop, hog and dairy farming for 39 years until retirement in 1991.

Wally and Hilde moved back to Brandon and lived on Big Chippewa Lake spending time with many friends and family fishing. In 1999, they moved back to Kerkhoven to be closer to lifelong friends and family. In November of 2007, Wally was diagnosed with cancer and, during his early treatment, he lived with Dale and Nora Haglund in Brooten and, with their help, was able to return home. Hilde died Oct. 19, 2008. Wally entered Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

Wally was baptized at Lake Ida Covenant Church and confirmed at Salem Covenant Church where he served as an usher and was a trustee. He was a member of the American Legion for over 65 years, serving on the Kerkhoven Honor Guard for more than 100 veteran military funerals. He also served on the town board, creamery board and helped organize the Circle K & M Saddle Club. Wally served on the American Dairy Association Board and organized the first Princess Kay of the Milky Way Pageant.

Wally loved farming and conditioning his six sons for the Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg High School wrestling team. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, trapping, riding and driving horses.

Wally is survived by his sons, Larold (and Lynette) Haglund of Willmar, Henry (and Shelly) Haglund of Willmar, Ralph (and Doreen) Haglund of Pennock, Wesley Haglund of Kerkhoven, Dale (and Nora) Haglund of Brooten and Michael (and Chery) Haglund of Kerkhoven; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters, Edith Shepherd of St. Paul; R’Lou (and Howard) Wittnebel of White Bear Lake and Jane Eitland of Plymouth; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In addition to his wife, Hilde, Wally was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor; and his grandson, Troy Haglund