Walter Wegner Jr.

Walter Wegner Jr., age 73, of Northfield, passed away with his family by his side on Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2020, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis following a brief illness.

 Walter John Wegner, Jr. was born March 15, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Walter and Marie (Rothlesberger) Wegner.  

He was raised in Milwaukee and graduated from Concordia Academy in 1965. He attended Concordia Lutheran JC in Milwaukee and in 1970 received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn.

On Dec. 27, 1969, Wally married Roberta Van Ert at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.  

After marriage, they taught elementary school in Sauk Rapids, Minn.  

In 1974, they moved to Brown Deer, Wis. Over the next few years, they lived in various communities until returning to Minnesota in 1984.  After moving to Stillwater, Minn., Wally worked as a quality engineer and advanced his career to become a quality auditor. His work gave him the opportunity to visit every continent except Antarctica. In 2013, Wally retired, although he remained active as a consultant. In 2015, Wally and Roberta moved to Northfield.

Wally was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, his homeowners association and the American Society for Quality. He volunteered at Bridgewater Elementary, Meals-on-Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, the food shelf and many other groups over the years. He enjoyed volunteering at special sporting events such as the All-Star Game and the Super Bowl.

He liked to visit his grandchildren, geo-cache, metal detect, read and putter around the house.   

Wally will be remembered as a loving and generous man who could make a friend anywhere.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Roberta; four children, Tricia of Columbia, Mo., John of Minnetonka, Mark (Beth) of Buffalo Grove, Ill.,  and Ben (Katie) of Lakeville; four grandchildren, Cora (7), Edie (6), Cole (11) and Reese (8); three brothers, John (Chris) of Appleton, Wis., Pete (Laurie) of Cedarburg, Wis., and Paul of West Bend, Wis.; three sisters, Marie Marshall of Plymouth, Wis., Chris Wegner of Appleton and Liz Wegner of Cedarburg; his sister-in-law Connie Wegner of Waldo, Wis.; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Joe.

Memorials are preferred to the Northfield Community Action Center and Lutheran World Relief.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.  
www.northfieldfuneral.com  
(507) 645-5123