Wallace Leroy "Wally" Atkinson
1927 - 2018
VETERAN
Early Life: Wallace "Wally" was born May 8, 1927, in Belt, Montana, to Wallace Stewart Atkinson and Woneta Lucille "Neta" Munden Atkinson. Wally was raised in Deer Lodge until the age of 12, when the family moved to Shelby. He was an athlete at Shelby High School; he played quarterback for the football team, point guard for the basketball team and set a Montana state high jump record in 1945. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1945. His summers were spent with his grandmother, Clara Munden, in Deer Lodge where he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, laying and maintaining track. The workers were called "gandy dancers".
Life's Work | Service | Interests: In 1943, Wally met Jeanette Lucille Rainville in Deer Lodge. He teasingly asked her to go to "The Gandy Dancers ball". Being from a railroad family, Jeanette knew there was no such thing. However, they continued to date and were together from that time on. In 1945, Wally enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1949. He married Jeanette Rainville on May 9, 1950*, residing in Deer Lodge until 2013, when they moved to Hamilton. Together, they had five children. He taught his kids to love sports, outdoor activities and, especially reading. He always said, "...you can do anything if you can read about it." He was proof of that. He taught himself all the skills he would need, and together with Jeanette, he built his own house, doing all the carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and everything else to create a fabulous home for his family. Wally and Jeanette purchased 80 acres in the Sapphire Mountains so their descendants could always own a piece of Montana. They, of course, built a cabin where the family spent many happy hours. Wally was employed by the railroad, as a truck driver, a correctional officer reaching the rank of lieutenant, and as a certified watch maker (another skill he taught himself). After retiring, not content to be idle, he became a school bus driver and soon became a maintenance man for the school. He and Jeanette also had a lawn service with 30 clients which they operated until they were in their 80s. Wally was active in the Catholic Church. Together with Jeanette and their friends, Pat and Charlotte Healy, they started serving breakfast in the parish center after Sunday mass with proceeds going to the church. They hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who wanted to come and provided a family atmosphere for many people. They served 250 to 300 meals and also sent out 70 boxed dinners. The dinner tradition started in 1984 and continued for many years. Wallace Leroy "Wally" Atkinson passed away Monday, November 26, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was 91.
Family Message: "Well done Wally, a life well lived."
Survived By: His wife of 68 years, Jeanette; his children: Carol Andersen (Kris Anderson), Cheryl Terry (Golden), Cleo Klepzig (Casey), Tim Atkinson (Morgan Taylor) and Janet Wimmer (Tom); his sister, Rena Hyvonen; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; nieces: Julia Marples (Chuck), Linda Bookout; and nephew, Ronald Hyvonen; as well as their families.
Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery
Arrangements: Daly-Leach Chapel
Obituary: © Missoulian | Dec 2018
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
*Obituary said 7 May 1950; however, marriage records state they were married 9 May 1950 in Deer Lodge, Montana.
1927 - 2018
VETERAN
Early Life: Wallace "Wally" was born May 8, 1927, in Belt, Montana, to Wallace Stewart Atkinson and Woneta Lucille "Neta" Munden Atkinson. Wally was raised in Deer Lodge until the age of 12, when the family moved to Shelby. He was an athlete at Shelby High School; he played quarterback for the football team, point guard for the basketball team and set a Montana state high jump record in 1945. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1945. His summers were spent with his grandmother, Clara Munden, in Deer Lodge where he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, laying and maintaining track. The workers were called "gandy dancers".
Life's Work | Service | Interests: In 1943, Wally met Jeanette Lucille Rainville in Deer Lodge. He teasingly asked her to go to "The Gandy Dancers ball". Being from a railroad family, Jeanette knew there was no such thing. However, they continued to date and were together from that time on. In 1945, Wally enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1949. He married Jeanette Rainville on May 9, 1950*, residing in Deer Lodge until 2013, when they moved to Hamilton. Together, they had five children. He taught his kids to love sports, outdoor activities and, especially reading. He always said, "...you can do anything if you can read about it." He was proof of that. He taught himself all the skills he would need, and together with Jeanette, he built his own house, doing all the carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and everything else to create a fabulous home for his family. Wally and Jeanette purchased 80 acres in the Sapphire Mountains so their descendants could always own a piece of Montana. They, of course, built a cabin where the family spent many happy hours. Wally was employed by the railroad, as a truck driver, a correctional officer reaching the rank of lieutenant, and as a certified watch maker (another skill he taught himself). After retiring, not content to be idle, he became a school bus driver and soon became a maintenance man for the school. He and Jeanette also had a lawn service with 30 clients which they operated until they were in their 80s. Wally was active in the Catholic Church. Together with Jeanette and their friends, Pat and Charlotte Healy, they started serving breakfast in the parish center after Sunday mass with proceeds going to the church. They hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who wanted to come and provided a family atmosphere for many people. They served 250 to 300 meals and also sent out 70 boxed dinners. The dinner tradition started in 1984 and continued for many years. Wallace Leroy "Wally" Atkinson passed away Monday, November 26, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was 91.
Family Message: "Well done Wally, a life well lived."
Survived By: His wife of 68 years, Jeanette; his children: Carol Andersen (Kris Anderson), Cheryl Terry (Golden), Cleo Klepzig (Casey), Tim Atkinson (Morgan Taylor) and Janet Wimmer (Tom); his sister, Rena Hyvonen; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; nieces: Julia Marples (Chuck), Linda Bookout; and nephew, Ronald Hyvonen; as well as their families.
Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery
Arrangements: Daly-Leach Chapel
Obituary: © Missoulian | Dec 2018
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
*Obituary said 7 May 1950; however, marriage records state they were married 9 May 1950 in Deer Lodge, Montana.
Wallace Leroy "Wally" Atkinson
1927 - 2018
VETERAN
Early Life: Wallace "Wally" was born May 8, 1927, in Belt, Montana, to Wallace Stewart Atkinson and Woneta Lucille "Neta" Munden Atkinson. Wally was raised in Deer Lodge until the age of 12, when the family moved to Shelby. He was an athlete at Shelby High School; he played quarterback for the football team, point guard for the basketball team and set a Montana state high jump record in 1945. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1945. His summers were spent with his grandmother, Clara Munden, in Deer Lodge where he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, laying and maintaining track. The workers were called "gandy dancers".
Life's Work | Service | Interests: In 1943, Wally met Jeanette Lucille Rainville in Deer Lodge. He teasingly asked her to go to "The Gandy Dancers ball". Being from a railroad family, Jeanette knew there was no such thing. However, they continued to date and were together from that time on. In 1945, Wally enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1949. He married Jeanette Rainville on May 9, 1950*, residing in Deer Lodge until 2013, when they moved to Hamilton. Together, they had five children. He taught his kids to love sports, outdoor activities and, especially reading. He always said, "...you can do anything if you can read about it." He was proof of that. He taught himself all the skills he would need, and together with Jeanette, he built his own house, doing all the carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and everything else to create a fabulous home for his family. Wally and Jeanette purchased 80 acres in the Sapphire Mountains so their descendants could always own a piece of Montana. They, of course, built a cabin where the family spent many happy hours. Wally was employed by the railroad, as a truck driver, a correctional officer reaching the rank of lieutenant, and as a certified watch maker (another skill he taught himself). After retiring, not content to be idle, he became a school bus driver and soon became a maintenance man for the school. He and Jeanette also had a lawn service with 30 clients which they operated until they were in their 80s. Wally was active in the Catholic Church. Together with Jeanette and their friends, Pat and Charlotte Healy, they started serving breakfast in the parish center after Sunday mass with proceeds going to the church. They hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who wanted to come and provided a family atmosphere for many people. They served 250 to 300 meals and also sent out 70 boxed dinners. The dinner tradition started in 1984 and continued for many years. Wallace Leroy "Wally" Atkinson passed away Monday, November 26, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was 91.
Family Message: "Well done Wally, a life well lived."
Survived By: His wife of 68 years, Jeanette; his children: Carol Andersen (Kris Anderson), Cheryl Terry (Golden), Cleo Klepzig (Casey), Tim Atkinson (Morgan Taylor) and Janet Wimmer (Tom); his sister, Rena Hyvonen; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; nieces: Julia Marples (Chuck), Linda Bookout; and nephew, Ronald Hyvonen; as well as their families.
Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery
Arrangements: Daly-Leach Chapel
Obituary: © Missoulian | Dec 2018
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
*Obituary said 7 May 1950; however, marriage records state they were married 9 May 1950 in Deer Lodge, Montana.
1927 - 2018
VETERAN
Early Life: Wallace "Wally" was born May 8, 1927, in Belt, Montana, to Wallace Stewart Atkinson and Woneta Lucille "Neta" Munden Atkinson. Wally was raised in Deer Lodge until the age of 12, when the family moved to Shelby. He was an athlete at Shelby High School; he played quarterback for the football team, point guard for the basketball team and set a Montana state high jump record in 1945. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1945. His summers were spent with his grandmother, Clara Munden, in Deer Lodge where he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, laying and maintaining track. The workers were called "gandy dancers".
Life's Work | Service | Interests: In 1943, Wally met Jeanette Lucille Rainville in Deer Lodge. He teasingly asked her to go to "The Gandy Dancers ball". Being from a railroad family, Jeanette knew there was no such thing. However, they continued to date and were together from that time on. In 1945, Wally enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1949. He married Jeanette Rainville on May 9, 1950*, residing in Deer Lodge until 2013, when they moved to Hamilton. Together, they had five children. He taught his kids to love sports, outdoor activities and, especially reading. He always said, "...you can do anything if you can read about it." He was proof of that. He taught himself all the skills he would need, and together with Jeanette, he built his own house, doing all the carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and everything else to create a fabulous home for his family. Wally and Jeanette purchased 80 acres in the Sapphire Mountains so their descendants could always own a piece of Montana. They, of course, built a cabin where the family spent many happy hours. Wally was employed by the railroad, as a truck driver, a correctional officer reaching the rank of lieutenant, and as a certified watch maker (another skill he taught himself). After retiring, not content to be idle, he became a school bus driver and soon became a maintenance man for the school. He and Jeanette also had a lawn service with 30 clients which they operated until they were in their 80s. Wally was active in the Catholic Church. Together with Jeanette and their friends, Pat and Charlotte Healy, they started serving breakfast in the parish center after Sunday mass with proceeds going to the church. They hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who wanted to come and provided a family atmosphere for many people. They served 250 to 300 meals and also sent out 70 boxed dinners. The dinner tradition started in 1984 and continued for many years. Wallace Leroy "Wally" Atkinson passed away Monday, November 26, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was 91.
Family Message: "Well done Wally, a life well lived."
Survived By: His wife of 68 years, Jeanette; his children: Carol Andersen (Kris Anderson), Cheryl Terry (Golden), Cleo Klepzig (Casey), Tim Atkinson (Morgan Taylor) and Janet Wimmer (Tom); his sister, Rena Hyvonen; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; nieces: Julia Marples (Chuck), Linda Bookout; and nephew, Ronald Hyvonen; as well as their families.
Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery
Arrangements: Daly-Leach Chapel
Obituary: © Missoulian | Dec 2018
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
*Obituary said 7 May 1950; however, marriage records state they were married 9 May 1950 in Deer Lodge, Montana.
