Donald Joseph Wahl was a beloved grandfather, father, and husband during his incredible 67 years of life. He passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, June 29, 2024, and is now resting in the arms of our loving Father….
Don was born on September 5th, 1956, in La Salle, IL at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was the son of Donald Edward Wahl and Regina Janet (Baima) Wahl.
His family lived in Peru and Oglesby, IL from 1954-1969. He initially attended grade school at St. Joseph Catholic School (Peru) and then Holy Family Catholic School (Oglesby). In June 1969, they moved to the family farm near Fergus Falls, MN to help his Father’s Aunt who was alone and did not want to sell the homestead. The rest of grade school was at a two room / two teacher schoolhouse in Elizabeth, MN. Grades 1-4 were on the first floor and grades 5-8 on the second floor! His 8th grade class had a total of six students. After completing 8th grade, it was a 12-mile bus ride to Fergus Falls where he attended Senior High School. He graduated from high school in 1974 and later continued his education at Solano Community College. In 1984, he completed associate degrees in Computer Programming, Accounting, and Business. In 1989, he graduated from Park College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management.
Don enlisted in the Air Force at age 17. He went to basic training at Lackland AFB, TX on August 2nd, 1974. He celebrated his 18th birthday in boot camp. He graduated from basic training and spent six weeks at Sheppard AFB training to become a Passenger Services Specialist. His first permanent assignment was at Travis AFB, CA.
It was here that he met Evelyn, in May of 1976, when she got stationed at Travis AFB, CA as her first assignment. They were engaged in December of 1976. They visited her parents in Tucson and his parents in Minnesota in the summer of 1977. On October 1st, 1977, they were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tucson, AZ. After a short honeymoon in Mexico and California they returned to Travis AFB, CA and lived in an apartment in Fairfield, CA. In February 1979, Don was sent on a remote assignment to Decimomanu, Sardinia, Italy. After the one-year assignment he was stationed at Travis AFB, where Evelyn had stayed.
In late 1980, they bought their first house in Fairfield, CA. Don served in the United States Air Force from 1974-1981. With Don’s computer skills and a few computer classes he acquired a job with California Compensation and Fire Insurance Company as a computer operator. This led to promotions as a Lead Operator and Programmer. With this job he commuted to San Francisco and then to Novato, CA. In 1984, he acquired a job with the city of Fairfield as a programmer and no longer had to commute. They sold their first house and bought a nicer three bedroom, two bath home in Suisun, CA.
Having always wanted to live in Tucson, near Evelyn’s family, they made the move in early 1986. Evelyn got a job at the base and Don found a job with Kruger Manufacturing Company. They bought their house in July 1986 and stayed in the same home for the rest of his life. Over the years Don went from Kruger to Apex Data Systems in 1988, to Tucson Unified School District in September 1990, and Pima Community College in June 2000 until he retired as the Computer Programming Manager in June 2013.
Don and Evelyn were blessed with two sons: Ryan Michael was born in 1981 and Joseph Donald was born in 1987. He was always involved with Ryan and Joseph’s many sports activities: volleyball, track, football, and soccer. He started as an assistant soccer coach, moved up to coach, and became the President of the St. Francis Soccer Club. Over the years he was involved with many ministries at Our Mother of Sorrows Church: Co-chair of the Fiesta, Member of the Parish Council, the Finance Committee, and treasurer for St. Vincent de Paul. He enjoyed sports activities growing up with water skiing, snow mobiles, and basketball; later with softball, basketball, tennis, golf, working out at home on the lifecycle, and treadmill, then enjoyed cycling. He completed the Tour de Tucson in 1987, and many significant shorter rides in the following years. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching his favorite sports teams, which included the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, and the Boston Celtics. He also enjoyed reading a good book, especially written by John Grisham and Tom Clancy. His favorite enjoyment were activities that included family and friends: swim parties, holiday celebrations, playing cards/games, family vacations which included many cruises, and family reunions on the lake over the years. He was especially proud of our two sons and how they have grown up to be mature young men. His work ethic, planning skills, and dependability are evident in Ryan and Joseph. He took an active role in the lives of our grandchildren. He loved spending quality time with Ben, Tate, and Ellie: getting down on the floor building castles, trains, and puzzles, watching Disney/Netflix, swimming, going to the zoo, playing games, and helping complete school assignments.
If Don committed himself to something, everyone knew they could count on his dedication to show up and get the job done. He was a loving, supportive, dedicated, and helpful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all.
His strength and love will be carried on through his devoted wife of 46 years, Evelyn Wahl; two sons, Ryan (Lindsey) Wahl, and Joseph Wahl; three grandchildren, Benjamin, Tatum, and Elle Wahl; two brothers, Daniel (Linda) Wahl, Dennis (Ann) Wahl; four sisters, Denise (Steve) Welch, Dawn Claire (Dan) Burns, DiAnne (Chad) Biss, Debra (Robert) Stone; and many relatives, and friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Donald and Regina Wahl, his in-laws, Joe and Angelina Anduaga, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a nephew.
Rosary will be Friday, July 19, 2024, at 9:30 AM, followed by Memorial Mass at 10:00 AM at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1800 South Kolb Road, with Father George Holley officiating. Following the Mass, we will celebrate Don’s life with a catered lunch at 11:00 AM provided by Viro’s Real Italian Restaurant & Bakery, during dessert we will have an opportunity to share happy memories and joyous moments. The procession to the cemetery is scheduled to start at 1:10 PM. The interment will start at 1:40 PM at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 East Grant Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Mother of Sorrows (OMOS) Catholic Church or OMOS St. Vincent de Paul Society.
John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."
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