Kenneth "Ken" George Wallin

Ken attended Johnson High School in St. Paul where he played both hockey and football. Prior to graduating he and his family moved to Hackensack Minnesota where he continued with his high school football endeavors. He also liked history and art.                            After graduating from Hackensack in 1948 he enlisted in the US Army.  Released on a medical discharge, Ken continued his education, becoming a certified butcher. It was during this time that he tied the knot with his high school sweetheart Francis Ford. Ken and Fran lived in the Hackensack, Cass County area for several years while starting their family. Gregory George was born on July 5th, 1953 and Michael Leroy was born on June 1st, 1955. They moved to Minneapolis and Ken started his life-long career as a truck driver covering many miles behind the wheel, in high-traffic urban areas and on the mountains, plains and forests of America’s vast open country. Ken and Fran divorced in 1974. He married Nomie [Nelson] Rydberg in 1981. Together they teamed up on the open road of a truck driver and then later operated an appliance repair shop in Pine City. They volunteered for the local library and stayed active with their blended families and their community. Ken was an avid wood carver, creating many beautiful carvings, usually with a western theme. He used these labors of love as coveted Christmas and birthday presents and as a collage of knickknacks adorning their home. As Ken entered his last year on earth he was forced to visit the emergency room many times, sometimes receiving a terminal-date prognosis. He always fought back and rejoined Nomie. The last visit seemed to get things just right – the medications, the oxygen and breathing assistance as well as rest and physical therapy. It was at this time - the high point of his recent health experience, when things seemed to be on track, that he suddenly died and left the rest of us wondering what happened. It was a surprise to us but it went easy for Ken. It is hard for us but it was smooth for him. Ken is still on a high point. We just need to wait awhile to meet him up there.  Kenneth is survived by his wife Nomie Wallin, sons: Greg (Raquel) Wallin, Michael(Kim) Wallin; stepsons: Dan (Deb) Rydberg, Paul (Barbara) Rydberg, Kip (Lori) Rydberg; stepdaughter Sue Rydberg, 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Axel and Ina Wallin and sister Eunice Perault. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 @ 11:00 a.m.  The service will be at the Swanson Funeral Chapel with a memorial visitation 1 hour prior to the service.The family requests memorials to the giver's favorite charity.