Wayne Wallin

Wayne “Wheaties” Wallin passed away on Saturday, August 11 at the Cuyuna Care Center from cancer. He was born July 5, 1941, to Richard and Lucille (Potter) Wallin at home, the first of four children. Wayne attended Nisswa Elementary School grades 1-6 and then went to Pequot Lakes School where he graduated in 1959. When he started into the seventh grade the bus driver each morning would say, “Did you have your Wheaties this morning?” and that eventually evolved into the nickname of Wheaties. Wayne was an all-around athlete earning letters in three sports. He was a great pitcher and was well known for his power at the plate with numerous home runs. He continued to play baseball after high school first for the American Legion and then the Nisswa amateur league. After high school he drove school bus for several years for Moberg Bus Company. Wayne worked for over 40 years at Standard Lumber in Nisswa, Pequot and Brainerd. His love of sports eventually led him to writing for The Country Echo and The Pine River Journal. He continued his writing until just before he entered the hospital on June 14. He never tired of attending games and getting to know all the coaches, referees and players, as well as their parents. Even after the athletes graduated he would continue to follow their success at college. His amazing memory for names enabled him to always greet you by name and always with a twinkle in his blue eyes, give you that famous “Wheaties hug”. There was no greater joy for him than to walk into the gym and sit in the front row by his brothers Dale and Bob and Ielene and his cousin Donnie to cheer on his beloved Patriots. Wayne was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many hours travelling to Thief Lake with his hunting buddies to hunt deer, ducks and geese as well as hunting with the Wallin gang in the Nisswa area. Although he loved all these things, his greatest love was for his daughter, Tina, who meant the world to him.

Wayne is survived by his daughter, Tina; his brother Bob (Ielene); his sister, Betty (Ray) Simenstad; his aunt, Betty Wallin; many nieces and nephews as well as many cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dale; and his niece, Betsy Jo.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 16 from 4-7 pm at the Kline Funeral Home in Pequot Lakes. Services will be held at the Pequot Lakes High School gym on Friday, August 17 at 4:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family to help pay for the service. To honor Wheaties, please wear your Patriot gear or your favorite sports team gear.