Donald James Wallerich

Funeral services for Donald Wallerich will be held Monday September 11th at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester.  Co-officiating will be the Reverend Nathan Schwartz and The Reverend Robert Lentz.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester where military honors will be provided by VFW Post 1215 - Rochester.  The visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Mr. Wallerich, 90, of Kasson, died Tuesday September 5, 2023 at Prairie Meadows Senior Living where he had resided in recent years.

Donald James Wallerich was born November 22, 1932 on the family farm in Glasgow Township in Wabasha County to Frank and Louise (Ginthner) Wallerich.  He graduated from St. Felix High School in Wabasha with the Class of 1950.  He went to work for Tucker Construction, and then served with honor during the Korean War. He returned to Tucker Construction after his discharge from service, and there he became a heavy equipment operator working backhoes, bulldozers, and Cats.  On July 21, 1956 he married Luella Labisky at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview, where the couple then resided.  In late 1956, Donald went to work for Co-op Oil, the LP gas plant in Plainview.  In 1959, he and his wife moved to Kasson, and in 1967 to Rochester.  He began working for Total Plumbing & Heating in 1978.  He was a former commander of the VFW Post in Mantorville, and also, later, VFW Post 1215 in Rochester.  With his wife, he enjoyed going to the farmers’ market, where they sold plants, produce, and baked goods.  They also enjoyed going to antique markets and traveling.

Donald is survived by his daughter Diane (Robert) Lubahn of Mantorville; sons Randy of Mesa, Arizona, and Brian of Rochester.  Also surviving are a special friend Lucy Phelps of Rochester, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a son Kevin, a brother Richard, and a sister Rose Brinkman.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Prairie Meadows Senior Living for the care they provided, and to Moments Hospice for the comfort given Donald during his final days.