Walter “Wally” Teich

Obituary

Walter “Wally” Richard Teich was born on June 19, 1935, in Pokegama Township, Pine County, Minnesota. He was the son of Emil and Mary (Vondrasek) Teich. Wally was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City, Minnesota.  He received his education in the Country School District #47 one mile south of the family farm.

On August 24, 1957, Wally was united in marriage to Barbara Hokanson at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kroschel, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two daughters, Rhonda and Nancy. Wally and family resided in Pine City and later moved to Hutchinson in the mid 1960’s.

Wally, along with his brother Clarence, ran the Standard Oil Station in Pine City for 10 years. After selling the gas/service station, Wally opened Wally’s Tire Shop in Hutchinson and was known as “The Tire King”. Wally went to tire sale conventions frequently in Des Moines, Iowa and sold tires both wholesale and retail at his shop, as well as cars. He was entrepreneurial, a consummate salesman and was proud of his career, and was semi-retired later in life.

Wally was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He was also a member of the Rod and Gun Club and the American Legion in Corvuso and Cosmos and was active socially.

Wally was a self-described people person and enjoyed visiting with others, frequently talking the price of corn and beans with local farmers as well as politics. He enjoyed old time and older country music as well as Elvis and Johnny Cash. He enjoyed polka dancing, playing card games and dice, fishing, bowling, snowmobiling, a little hunting and watching sports. Visiting and socializing with people made him happy and he was generally a positive spirit in the world. He especially enjoyed spending time with family, six grandchildren and friends.

When Wally needed assistance with his daily care, he became a resident at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson on June 2, 2015. He was a popular resident there with staff and went out of his way to make new residents feel welcomed. Wally passed away there on Monday, January 1, 2018, at the age of 82 years.  We as a family would like to thank all of Wally’s caregivers at Harmony River Living Center.  Blessed be his memory.

Wally is survived by his:
Daughter, Rhonda Hickey and her husband, Frank of Mendota Heights, MN;
Son-In-Law, Lee Kaping and his wife, Tina of Litchfield, MN;
Grandchildren, Paige Kaping, Walker Kaping, Max Kaping, Liam Hickey, Parker Hickey, and Sean Hickey;
Siblings, Ernie Teich and his wife, Evelyn of Mesa, AZ,
              Rose Marie Merz and her husband, Paul of Maple Plain, MN,
              Clinton Teich and his wife, Laverne of Pine City, MN,
              Nina Mattkins of Hutchinson, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Wally is preceded in death by his Parents, Emil and Mary Teich; Daughter, Nancy Kaping; Former Spouse, Barbara (Hokanson) Lawson; Brothers, Ervin Teich and Clarence Teich; Sister-In-Law, Arlene Teich; and Brother-In-Law, Wes Mattkins.