Wallace Mayer

In the early morning of June 24, 2014, Wally passed away peacefully, of natural causes, in Villa Maria care facility in Fargo, ND. Wally was 91 years old.

Wallace Leo Mayer was born in Alexandria, MN, on March 24, 1923, to George John and Barbara Catherine (Rassier) Mayer. He attended Alexandria High School, graduating in 1941. After working with his father in the blacksmith shop, Wally enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and served as crew chief on DC-3 cargo planes in the South Pacific during the war. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

After returning to Alexandria, Wally worked in a shoe store, where he met his future wife, Gerene Aldous. They were married May 19, 1948. They stayed in Alexandria, where Wally worked for the Board of Public Works in the power plant, and started their family. Gregory was born in 1949, Larry in 1951, Tamara in 1952, and Cynthia in 1958. Wally was later transferred to their metering department, where he worked until 1963, at which time, he took a job with Otter Tail Power Company in Fergus Falls, MN. He was transferred to Devils Lake, ND, for one year, then to Jamestown, ND, where he worked until retiring in 1989.

Wally's greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed winters in Arizona, golfing, wood carving, fishing, working in his yard, and spending time with friends. In 2009, they moved into One Oak Place in Fargo to be closer to family and enjoyed the many friendships they made there.

Wally is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gerene; his children, Greg Mayer of Fargo, Larry (Mary) Mayer of Portland, OR, Tam (Dennis) Wagner of Fargo, Cindy (Warren) Bettenhausen of Lakeville, MN; brothers, James of Lakeville, and Thomas of Wyoming, MN; sister, Lucille James of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents, George and Barbara; older brother, Robert and wife Bernice; brother-in-law, Carl V. James; and sister-in-law, Vi.

A Gathering of family and friends for Wallace is one hour prior to the service in the church. His memorial service will be Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 2:00 PM in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Fargo. He will be buried in Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria, MN.