Lynn Wollesen

Nothing can bring people together quite like food, and for many, getting together over food just won’t be the same without the presence of Lynn “Wally” Everett Wollesen, who passed away peacefully and surrounded by the thoughts of his loved ones on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the age of 70.

Everyone cherished an opportunity to cook for Wally, a man whose appetite was the only thing that could possibly make his smile look small. He will be forever remembered for his unfailing kindness, hearty laugh, and an impeccable ability to make everyone he met feel valued and listened to.

Although he chose to live a quiet, reserved lifestyle, Wally was loved by all and is survived by his sister Linda Sue (Wollesen) McClure, niece Tabitha (Tye) Herron, nephews Kenan Smith and Lance McClure, great nephews and nieces Taylor (Krystal) Herron, Paige (Nelson) Harmon, Talon Herron, Kenan Smith, Kayden Smith, and Jackson McClure, and great-great nephew Easton Harmon. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Everett John and Beoma (Barr) Wollesen and his niece, Christina Lynne Wollesen-Felton.

Wally was born in Lake City, Iowa on October 17, 1951. When he wasn’t cheering on his Iowa Hawkeyes or lamenting the habitual losses of the Denver Broncos, Wally was in near-constant motion. In his earlier years, he loved to fish and hunt pheasants, although he was kept busy with work; he specialized as a mason for many years, a job which sent him to Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and even Florida, where he worked for a couple of years at Walt Disney World. In his free time, Wally enjoyed donating his hard-earned money to casinos, playing cards and board games, and traveling. Some of his most memorable trips included Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

He spent several years in Iowa before eventually landing in Casper, Wyoming, where he was able to be closer to family, and he frequently served as the center (and usually the winner) of many cribbage and domino games. Before sitting down to a relaxing game, though, Wally would always complete a several-miles-long trek around town: he would complete his daily odysseys- never hesitating to roam through rain, sleet or snow- stopping only to check in on the local homeless population, to make a passerby’s day with pleasantries, to befriend a squirrel with a handful of nuts, or to hunt up some fresh asparagus before finally settling down to enjoy laughs and a hot cup of coffee with friends and family. For such a big man, he had a knack for always being able to savor the small beauties in this world; no creature or conversation was ever deemed unworthy of his time. Wally’s journey eventually brought him home to Iowa, and he died in Sioux City after a valiant battle with renal cancer.

Wally treated life like he treated any buffet or home-cooked meal: he enjoyed every second of it, he never looked back once he got to work, and he always brought warmth and laughter with him. In lieu of funeral services, Wally would prefer that you remember him by making a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105) and then hitting the buffet. Don’t forget seconds.