Leonard Wallner

Leonard Wallner

1934 – 2021

Following a fifty-one-year detour in the journey of life to the great State of Alaska, Leonard ‘Pops’ Wallner arrived at the Heavenly Gate on New Year’s Eve, 2021, at the age of 87. Weakened by organ failure, ‘Pops’ spent the final few weeks of earthly life in the hospital (Palmer and Anchorage), with family and friends at his bedside.

‘Pops’ was born in Park Falls (Price County), Wisconsin in 1934, the oldest of three children, and only son. He took great pride in sharing the birthday of January 8th with Elvis Presley. Growing up on the family farm, chores were many, days were long, and life was arduous at best. At the age of 22, he married local sweetheart Margaret Sleck, and this union resulted in three children. He began a lifelong career with the railroad as a track welder for the Sioux Line, working throughout the Midwest. After divorce, ‘Pop’s’ married Florence Morford Rominske and moved to Milwaukee, where they lived until the summer of 1970. Growing weary of the hustle and bustle of the big city, a small caravan, consisting of the families of ‘Pops’, George Davis, and James Wilson packed up and headed north to Alaska. After weeks on the road, and having reached Bailey Hill north of Palmer, ‘Pops’ proudly announced ‘Only fifty more miles to Anchorage’, to which Florence proclaimed ‘Nope, Palmer is the end of the line for us!’ Setting up residency, ‘Pops’ was soon back to work, this time for the Alaska Railroad, progressing from Track welder to Bridge and Buildings (B & B) #6 foreman, where he remained for 26 years, retiring in 1996.

Becoming a widower, the next sweetheart to enter ‘Pops’ life was Beverly Dagley, resulting in wedding bells yet again, until her passing in 2006. The last love of ‘Pops’ life was Mary Hall, who remained a sweetheart and significant other until her passing in 2018.

An even greater love in ‘Pop’s life was his Lord Jesus Christ, along with the entire church body of Valley Baptist Tabernacle, becoming a member in 1983. Of late, ‘Pops’ was often heard to say ‘I have lived a good long life and am ready when God calls me home’. He was also a lifetime member of the Palmer Elks Lodge and a longtime member of the Palmer Moose Lodge.

Passions in ‘Pops’ life included camping, RV-ing, fishing, visiting with family and friends, and the Green Bay Packers.

‘Pops’ was preceded in death by wives, Margaret, Florence, and Beverly, soulmate Mary; son, Raymond Wallner; parents, George and Jennie Wallner; and ‘Pokey’, his beloved toy poodle. He is survived by son, Leonard Wallner Jr. (Vicki) of Palmer and son, Anthony Wallner of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; sister, Evelyn (Roger) Abraham and sister, Lilian Wallner of Park Falls, Wisconsin, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at Valley Baptist Tabernacle near Palmer at 5:30 PM on Sunday, February 6th, 2022, with visitation beginning at 4:30PM and a reception to follow on-site. Interment will be in the family plot at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery in the Spring of 2022. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be gifted to the Valley Baptist Tabernacle in the form of a love offering.