Wallace “Wally” Dunn, age 85, was received into glory on August 2, 2017 at the Deerfield Gables, surrounded by his loving family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, “Dutch” and Irene Dunn; brother, Warren Dunn, brother-in-law, Andrew Anderson; and infant granddaughter, Amy Lynn Wilson.
He is survived by his loving wife Violet; children, Douglas (Linda) Dunn, Nancy (Ron) Wilson, Steven (Mary) Dunn, and Laurie (Jason) Sadowski; brother, Charles Dunn; sister, Lois Anderson; grandchildren Ben (Heidi) Wilson, Brian Wilson, April Wilson, Heather (Ben) Naylor, Mandi (Dillon) Zielske, Christopher (Heather) Kunkle, Carol (Austin) Brunette, Sarah (Justin) Malaise, Alison (Bobby) Hach, and Matthew (Gaby) Dunn; and great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Kellen, and Bryce Wilson; Kylie, Madison, and Caleb Naylor; Nolan and Lincoln Zielske; Kayla and Paige Rudolf; and Briar and Blakely Brunette.
Wally received his Master’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a highly respected and accomplished teacher and coach. He taught Chemistry and Physics for nearly 40 years at New Richmond High School. He was the varsity coach for football, wrestling, and baseball and coached New Richmond’s first ever wrestling state champion. Even after he retired from coaching, he remained highly active in Tiger athletics as a WIAA wrestling official for more than a decade as well as Key Club. He touched the lives of many students and student athletes and was loved by all those that had the pleasure of knowing him.
Funeral service was held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (365 West River Drive, New Richmond). Visitation was held Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. at Bakken-Young Beebe Chapel (112 W 3rd Street, New Richmond) and Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Interment was in the New Richmond Cemetery.
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My loving thoughts and prayers are with Vi, Doug, Steve, Nancy and Laurie today and every day. Wally was a great man, father, husband, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, friend and athlete.
Coach Dunn was an amazing individual. I graduated from NRHS in 1966, so I had the good fortune of playing baseball as a junior, when he was the head coach, wrestled as a junior and senior when he was the head coach, and played football as a senior when he was the head coach
Of course we all called him “Wally”, when speaking about him, not to him, or “Wallygator” occasionally for some reason. He was a coach who inspired us to play hard, and play our best for him. He was a fun-loving guy, who truly liked his athletes, got to know us all personally, and pushed us to excel in his own smart way.
I have coached high school athletes for many years, and the examples he set for us have been utilized by me, successfully. He is frequently in my thoughts and memories.
My prayers to his family.
Much of the success I had on the wrestling mat was due to the coaching and leadership I generously received from Coach Dunn. He had a huge impact on my life. He was always there to – train – discipline – support – both as a wrestling coach, as well as, a life coach. Kind and nurturing when you needed it most – tough as nails when you needed that. He was a combination Father Figure and Big Brother to me.
Rest in Piece Coach – you’ve earned it.
Nancy and Ron
I’m so sorry to hear this. Talked with Wally several times while doing radio sports and always found him to be a very genial and interesting wrestling story teller. God loves you all!
Because of “Mr Dunn, I still remember oxidation/reduction, and many other chemistry formulas that are great for sounding smart and winning trivia contests. RIP to one of the best teachers in the world!
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