Wallace Delbert Karl

Wallace Delbert Karl was born on June 9, 1931, to Martin (Eugene) and Anna (Volk) Karl at Slayton, Minnesota. He attended school at Slayton, Minnesota and helped his parents with farming.

Wally was united in marriage to Betty Lou Hartman on January 14, 1950, in Slayton, Minnesota. The couple lived in Minnesota and then California, where Wally worked at the Boeing Aircraft Company. After returning to Minnesota the couple started farming near Dawson, Minnesota. In 1960, they moved to Murray County where Wally worked for the Murray County Highway Department. In 1962, Wally was accepted and then attended the Minnesota State Patrol school in Arden Hills, Minnesota, graduating in May.

After working 5 ½ years in Albert Lee, Minnesota, he received his transfer to Alexandria.  Wally and Betty bought a farm at the current location of the Alexandria YMCA. Wally, his brothers Cal and Virgil, and brother-in-law Leroy Brune were all in the Minnesota State Highway Patrol at the same time, making state history.  Wally taught, as a substitute, at the Alexandria Area Technical school and later became certified to do accident reconstruction. He retired in 1986, after serving 24 years on the Minnesota State Highway Patrol.

Wally was an avid sports enthusiast initiating the YMCA baseball program in Albert Lea, and Golden Gloves boxing in Alexandria. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, golfing, bowling, roller skating, and boxing with his family. He also watched the many sporting events his children were involved in. During Wally’s retirement he enjoyed lawn work, golfed, spent time with family, had coffee at the Brass Lantern with friends, and golfed some more.

Wally entered assisted living in Osakis, March of 2022, and memory care at Grand Arbor, Alexandria, in December 2022. On April 6, 2023, he quietly passed surrounded by family.

Wally is survived by his wife of 73 years; Betty Lou Karl; children Judy (Karl) Smith, Susan (Karl) Sletto, Patricia (Karl) Maryott, Dell and wife Angela (Tranby) Karl, David and wife Wendy (Stone) Karl, 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild, brother Calvin Karl, sister Lois and husband LeRoy Bruns, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother Virgil and wife LaVina Karl, sister Joy and husband Arvid Swan, sister Joyce and husband Loren Boreman, nephew Tom Boreman, all brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and son-in-law Roy Sletto.

Memorial service is pending.