Wallace Beyer, 85

Wallace William Beyer was born in South Dakota on May 17th, 1939, to William and Elda (Holler) Beyer.   Wally fought a battle with Leukemia for nine long years.  Despite doctoring over the years, Wally never lost his sense of humor.  He had a great ability to make others smile and his sense of humor will be missed. He was a proud member of the Border Evangelical Free Church, where he was a devoted Christian.  Wally lost his battle with cancer as he passed away on Thursday, December 12th, at the age of 85.

If you knew Wally, you know he liked to work! When he was a young boy, his family moved to Baudette and started farming East of town.  His eagerness for hard work started young as he helped his dad on the farm.  In 1956, Wally joined the United States Army at the age of 17.  After serving in the Army, he returned to Baudette and worked for Lake of the Woods County as a surveyor.  

In 1974, he married Mona Hooper, and they purchased a house in town, right across the alley from his new job at Baudette Transfer.  After several years at Baudette Transfer, he went to work for Rowell Laboratories.  During this time, he also drove school bus for Lake of the Woods for a total of 33 years! He had fond memories of his bus driving years and all the students he met and grew to know.  In 1979, Wally and Bruce Sundvall started a garbage business in Baudette, Walleye Capital Sanitation, building it from the ground up.  The business is still going strong today, owned and operated by son, Dave Beyer.  Wally continued to work in the sanitation business and did so up until his final days of life.  He was a good family man and great provider.

When Mona was alive, she and Wally loved to travel.  They often made long-distance trips by car to visit family and friends.  In his later years, you may have noticed his love for driving around and admiring the beautiful county that we live in! 

Wally loved coffee, and he loved to visit. On any given morning, you could find him at Howard’s in Baudette, doing those two things, drinking a cup of coffee and visiting with everyone who stopped in.  Wally had a kind soul and always asked how you were doing.  He will be missed by so many.  

Wally is survived by his son, David (Crystal) Beyer, Step-Children, Linda Roberts, Janie Bodine, Paul (Sheree) Hildebrandt, Cece (Steve) Johnson, Daughter-in-law Carol Hildebrandt, grandchildren Peyton Beyer, Azriel (Annie) Beyer, Kenny Hildebrandt, Angie Lutman, Chuck Hildebrandt, Bobby Roberts, Brent Hildebrandt, Chrissy Banitt, Missy Morrow, Tommy Bannitt, Bronte Smith, Jennifer Ziobrowski, Josee Hildebrandt, Kayd Hildebrandt, Savanna Slick and several great-grandchildren. 

Wally is proceeded in death by his wife Mona, his parents Bill and Elda Beyer, siblings; Norma, Laurel, Marlys, Wilma and his step-children; Ron Hildebrandt, Deanna Meurer and Bob Hildebrandt. 

 A funeral service was held on Friday, December 20th, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to service at the First Lutheran Church in Baudette, Minnesota. The Women of First Lutheran served a luncheon following the service.