Obituary for Wallace Dean Messenger
Wallace Dean Messenger fell asleep in death in his 89th year on Sunday July 5, 2020 after an extended illness.
He reflected upon a rich life which brought him many joys and great satisfaction. He was born on September 15, 1930 to Edwin and Ella Messenger of Burwell Nebraska. He was the youngest of six children and grew in this small farming community during the shadow the Great Depression. When he was 11 years old he suffered a burst appendix, and was bedridden and recovering for many months. In fact he had to miss an entire year of school – which moved him into the same grade as Blanche Johnson – whom he would eventually marry. Wally (as he was commonly known) always loved sports. In high school he played basketball and was an avid track and fielder even winning state competitions. After graduating high school in 1948, he moved to Omaha Nebraska and began working as a welder for Omaha Steel Works fabricating large weldments for bridges and dams. He loved this work and the sense of accomplishment it gave him.
While in Omaha, he married his high school sweetheart Blanche Johnson, daughter of Chester and Ruth Johnson of Burwell Nebraska. They made a home and started a happy life together in Omaha – a marriage which would sustain them for more than 70 years. A year later they welcomed their first child Steven Douglas, soon followed by Debra Jean, and Russell Allen. By this time Wally worked as a route salesman for Omar Bakeries.
In 1958, Wally had an opportunity to purchase the local hardware store back in Burwell and decided to pursue it. The Messenger family moved to Burwell and expanded the business adding a plumbing as well as a heating department. Those were busy years but they were happy to be back amidst family and friends. Soon Tracy Gayle was born, and several years later Scott Patrick. Wally had many close friendships and many responsibilities. He loved serving with the local volunteer fire department and often manned the ambulance. He even served on the school board for a time. He also loved outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and often recounted very fond memories of hunting with his father-in-law Chester.
In 1965 Wally decided to sell the hardware store and make a career change. He went to work in sales for a livestock feed company and began to travel extensively. In 1971 a promotion moved the family to Sioux City IA where Wally managed a feed production facility and sales team. Eventually, the company was purchased by ConAgra and Wally was offered a sales territory in northern Nebraska and much of South Dakota. In 1973 the family relocated to Valentine NE to be near this sales territory. Wally traveled extensively through these years. Eventually he left the feed business and began working for Wilson Trailers as a sales manager in this same area. He enjoyed great success in the trailer business and met many customers who became longtime friends. Wally loved the rolling sandhills of northern Nebraska. He greatly enjoyed camping with family and friends along the scenic Niobrara river.
In 1975 Wally was promoted to General Manager and asked to develop a branch office and repair facility for Wilson Trailer in Grand Island Nebraska. Soon the family moved to Grand Island where they lived for a number of years. It was at this time that Wally’s life took a change. He began to study the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Eventually Wally was baptized on December 26, 1976. This was a profound change in his life, and he was proud of changes that he achieved. He developed many true and lasting friendships. After many years of faithful service, he was appointed as an elder and he served in that capacity until his death.
In 1988 Wally retired from secular work, and he and Blanche decided to move back to Valentine. He was very busy serving as an elder in the Ainsworth NE congregation and engaged in the public ministry. In addition to this, he volunteered to help build and remodel Kingdom Halls throughout the region. Over the years he traveled to many projects and came to meet many new friends. This became one of Wally’s favorite activities and he told fond stories of dozens of build projects and the comical situations that would happen. He treasured these stories and the friends behind the stories.
As Wally reflected on his life, there were many things he enjoyed. He loved to travel. In 1994 he and Blanche traveled through Russia and Ukraine. This was a special highlight for Wally. He loved simple things as well – such as sitting on the porch on a pleasant summer evening. He loved to tell stories and loved to hear stories well told. He loved to laugh and joke with dear friends. He loved playing cards – even if he lost. He was truly a people person – he was interested in people and remembered and cared about them.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings, and his oldest son Steven.
He is survived by his wife Blanche, his children Debra, Russell, Tracy, Scott, 13 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.
The family wishes to express our gratitude for the many kind expressions, prayers, and deeds in behalf of Wally – the Wallace Messenger Family.
He reflected upon a rich life which brought him many joys and great satisfaction. He was born on September 15, 1930 to Edwin and Ella Messenger of Burwell Nebraska. He was the youngest of six children and grew in this small farming community during the shadow the Great Depression. When he was 11 years old he suffered a burst appendix, and was bedridden and recovering for many months. In fact he had to miss an entire year of school – which moved him into the same grade as Blanche Johnson – whom he would eventually marry. Wally (as he was commonly known) always loved sports. In high school he played basketball and was an avid track and fielder even winning state competitions. After graduating high school in 1948, he moved to Omaha Nebraska and began working as a welder for Omaha Steel Works fabricating large weldments for bridges and dams. He loved this work and the sense of accomplishment it gave him.
While in Omaha, he married his high school sweetheart Blanche Johnson, daughter of Chester and Ruth Johnson of Burwell Nebraska. They made a home and started a happy life together in Omaha – a marriage which would sustain them for more than 70 years. A year later they welcomed their first child Steven Douglas, soon followed by Debra Jean, and Russell Allen. By this time Wally worked as a route salesman for Omar Bakeries.
In 1958, Wally had an opportunity to purchase the local hardware store back in Burwell and decided to pursue it. The Messenger family moved to Burwell and expanded the business adding a plumbing as well as a heating department. Those were busy years but they were happy to be back amidst family and friends. Soon Tracy Gayle was born, and several years later Scott Patrick. Wally had many close friendships and many responsibilities. He loved serving with the local volunteer fire department and often manned the ambulance. He even served on the school board for a time. He also loved outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and often recounted very fond memories of hunting with his father-in-law Chester.
In 1965 Wally decided to sell the hardware store and make a career change. He went to work in sales for a livestock feed company and began to travel extensively. In 1971 a promotion moved the family to Sioux City IA where Wally managed a feed production facility and sales team. Eventually, the company was purchased by ConAgra and Wally was offered a sales territory in northern Nebraska and much of South Dakota. In 1973 the family relocated to Valentine NE to be near this sales territory. Wally traveled extensively through these years. Eventually he left the feed business and began working for Wilson Trailers as a sales manager in this same area. He enjoyed great success in the trailer business and met many customers who became longtime friends. Wally loved the rolling sandhills of northern Nebraska. He greatly enjoyed camping with family and friends along the scenic Niobrara river.
In 1975 Wally was promoted to General Manager and asked to develop a branch office and repair facility for Wilson Trailer in Grand Island Nebraska. Soon the family moved to Grand Island where they lived for a number of years. It was at this time that Wally’s life took a change. He began to study the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Eventually Wally was baptized on December 26, 1976. This was a profound change in his life, and he was proud of changes that he achieved. He developed many true and lasting friendships. After many years of faithful service, he was appointed as an elder and he served in that capacity until his death.
In 1988 Wally retired from secular work, and he and Blanche decided to move back to Valentine. He was very busy serving as an elder in the Ainsworth NE congregation and engaged in the public ministry. In addition to this, he volunteered to help build and remodel Kingdom Halls throughout the region. Over the years he traveled to many projects and came to meet many new friends. This became one of Wally’s favorite activities and he told fond stories of dozens of build projects and the comical situations that would happen. He treasured these stories and the friends behind the stories.
As Wally reflected on his life, there were many things he enjoyed. He loved to travel. In 1994 he and Blanche traveled through Russia and Ukraine. This was a special highlight for Wally. He loved simple things as well – such as sitting on the porch on a pleasant summer evening. He loved to tell stories and loved to hear stories well told. He loved to laugh and joke with dear friends. He loved playing cards – even if he lost. He was truly a people person – he was interested in people and remembered and cared about them.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings, and his oldest son Steven.
He is survived by his wife Blanche, his children Debra, Russell, Tracy, Scott, 13 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.
The family wishes to express our gratitude for the many kind expressions, prayers, and deeds in behalf of Wally – the Wallace Messenger Family.