Allan J Wallander

Allan was born in the town of Cato WI., on January 8, 1939, to Edward J. Wallander, Sr., and Theresa Reiderer Wallander. He was the youngest of 10 children.

Allan attended schools in the Valders school district, graduating from Valders High School with the Class of ’57. Allan took pride in being part of the wrestling team, especially when they won the State Championship his senior year. He also broke a record on the trampoline that same year.

Allan married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Dvorak on August 17, 1960. In 1963, he was drafted into the army, and his service took him to Germany for 2 years. That is when Sue and Allan discovered their passion for traveling! Upon returning to the U.S. in 1965, they moved to California with the hopes of enjoying warmer weather. Allan graduated college with a degree in engineering from California State University, Northridge, and began his lifelong career in the elevator industry.

Allan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sue Wallander, Canton, GA, daughter, Shelly (Jeff) Petersohn, Woodstock, GA., one brother, Edward (Lucille) Wallander Jr. Manitowoc, WI., one sister, Laura Braun, Manitowoc, WI., five sisters-in-laws, Nancy (Paul) Rameker, Maribel, WI., Janet (Dick) Brandes, Collins, WI. Joan Dvorak, Manitowoc, WI., Candace Dvorak, Kellnersville, WI., Janice Wallender, Chandler, AZ., one brother-in-law, Dave (Jane) Dvorak, Wrightstown, WI. He was preceded in death by his son, Aaron Wallander, his parents, Ed and Theresa Wallander, four brothers, Mike, Bob, Bernie, and Tom Wallander, three sisters, Dolores Schuh, Rita McKiel, and Marie Johanek.

During Allan’s life, he enjoyed traveling the entire United States in their motorhome with Sue and their 2 children, Shelly and Aaron, as well as traveling all over the world with them. Allan had been to all 7 continents, some of them more than once! The family’s Christmas cards were usually pictures of some of the amazing places they had traveled that year. He was very involved in his children’s extra-curricular activities, often working the concession stands at ball games, and was a Boy Scout leader for his son’s Den. He and Sue enjoyed the theater, and always had season tickets to several theaters in Los Angeles, as well as to their favorite venue, the Hollywood Bowl.

The Wallanders built their dream home in Santa Clarita, CA, in 1988, and it wasn’t long before they had a garden, and an orchard with 46 different fruit trees. In addition to making jelly and jam from the fruit on his trees, Allan spent much of his weekend time baking kolaches, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and homemade bread. The neighbors all looked forward to the care packages he would bring to them. Allan loved taking care of his yard, walking his doggies, and cooking. He volunteered much of his time at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center after he retired. He was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, and enjoyed the tailgate parties at Lambeau when he visited Wisconsin during football season.

Allan was a kind, generous, caring and easy going man that you couldn’t help but adore. He will truly be missed by all that were lucky enough to have him touch their lives.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Arbor Bridgemill Memory Care, for the continuous and caring support they provided to Allan and his family.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association where a fund has been established: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=791535&fr_id=1060&pg=fund

The family will gather with friends on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Silver Valley Supper Club, 1222 South Alverno Avenue, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220. At 1:30 p.m. The United States Army Honor Guard will honor Allan's service to our country. Military honors will be followed by a time of fellowship and memory sharing.