Wallace "Wally" Gradin, age 84 of Underwood, ND, formerly of Washburn, died Wednesday, August 22 at the Prairieview Nursing Home in Underwood. A celebration of life service will be held 10:00 AM Monday, August 27 at Birka Lutheran Church, nine miles west of Falkirk, ND. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Sunday at Goetz Funeral Home in Washburn, and Monday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at the church.

Eldred Wallace O'Neil Gradin was born May 31, 1923 near Underwood, ND, the son to Eldred W. & Mabel T. (Moen) Gradin. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith on August 7, 1923 at the Basto (Birka) Lutheran Church. He grew up in the rural Underwood area and graduated from Underwood High School in 1941. After attending college at Santa Ana Junior College in Santa Ana, California, he returned home to assist his father on the family farm.

Wallace married Edith O. Johannes on June 10, 1945 at Birka Lutheran Church. The couple farmed 15 miles northwest of Washburn for many years. Wallace and Edith raised five children, Miles, Wallyn Kay, Mark, Kyle and Dwight.

They moved into Washburn in 1986 where they enjoyed their retirement years. Edith passed away on December 2, 2000. Throughout his life, Wallace was active in his church and community. He served on numerous boards, including 15 years as a member of the Washburn School Board and as Treasurer for Birka Lutheran Church. Wallace greatly loved music, whether it was singing, playing his baritone, or listening to his vast collection of record albums, he always had a song in his heart and loved sharing it with others. Throughout the years he sang at numerous community events, often as part of a quartet with his mother Mabel accompanying them. His love of music greatly enriched Wallace's life.

Wallace was also a wonderful collector and recorder of the Gradin Family history. He made several albums including pictures, newspaper articles and memorabilia of his family. He wanted to preserve these memories to pass on to his beloved family and grandchildren. Any mention of his grandchildren would make his eyes sparkle, followed with the comment that they made him wish he could live forever.

He is survived by his sons & daughters-in-law, Miles (Linda) Gradin of Washburn, ND, Mark Gradin of Fargo, ND, Kyle (Karen) Gradin of Hensler, ND, Dwight (Denise) Gradin of Washburn, ND; one daughter and son-in-law, Wallyn (Gordon) Lee of Moorhead, MN. Wallace is also survived by his grandchildren, Alicia (Travis) Boeckel and their children Gabriella and Jasmine of Bismarck, ND, Angela Gradin and her fiance', Josh Peterson of Fargo, ND, Trevor Gradin of Scottsdale, AZ, Cody Gradin of Fargo, ND, Kyla Gradin of Fargo, ND, Christopher Gradin and Samuel Gradin of Washburn, ND, Karisa (Roger) Frith of Fargo, ND, Joshua Lee and Zachary Lee of Fargo, ND. Wallace and Edith were the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Wenger of Bismarck, ND; and his brother, Fred (Terry) Gruenberg of Minot, ND; one sister-in-law, Donna Bartsch of Minot, ND; & one brother-in-law, Emil Berg of Underwood, ND

Wallace was preceded in death by his wife (Edith Gradin), parents (Eldred and Mabel Gradin), brother (Robert "Bobby" Gradin), and his sister (Marion Berg).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Birka Lutheran Church or Camp of the Cross (1228A 47th Ave. NW, Garrison, ND 58540).