Walter Raymond Olds
Born in Warroad MN, August 17, 1949 to parents John and Avis Olds. He grew up in Baudette, MN and graduated from Baudette H.S as Valedictorian. Wally received both sports and academic scholarships to the University of Minnesota. He went on to the U of MN and played for the Gopher Hockey Team from 1968-1971. In 1972, Wally also played hockey at the Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, taking home not only the silver medal but teammates who he would consider brothers for a lifetime. He played on several National Teams and went on to the WHA in Europe, in total, playing hockey professionally for 11 years.
In 1978 and 1980, respectively, my brother Craig and I (Ashlee) were born. We lived on Long Island in Brookhaven, NY until Wally got a job coaching Breck Highschool Hockey. We moved to Saint Paul, MN in 1990. Wally and his wife, Beth moved to Marine on Saint Croix, MN in 2001 to a house nestled in the woods on Big Marine Lake.
Wally was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in Mid-November and lost his short battle with the condition on Sunday, January 11, 2009.
Preceded in death by father, John; brothers, John, Delbert and Glen; sister, Iris Zempel. Survived by his wife, Beth; children, Craig and Ashlee;
mother, Avis; brother, Larry;
beloved dog, Olivia; other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Service to be held at a later date (in March or April).
Of course there are many details and personal stories I've missed. Please feel free to leave them in the comments section (click the word "comments" below). This website will be here for a long time, please return anytime and read what others' have to say about our friend, Wally.
Please check back, or sign up for this blog newsletter at the right to be notified of upcoming memorial information and events.
Memorials may be sent to
Beth Olds
13278 - 188th Street North
Marine On St. Croix, MN 55047
Born in Warroad MN, August 17, 1949 to parents John and Avis Olds. He grew up in Baudette, MN and graduated from Baudette H.S as Valedictorian. Wally received both sports and academic scholarships to the University of Minnesota. He went on to the U of MN and played for the Gopher Hockey Team from 1968-1971. In 1972, Wally also played hockey at the Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, taking home not only the silver medal but teammates who he would consider brothers for a lifetime. He played on several National Teams and went on to the WHA in Europe, in total, playing hockey professionally for 11 years.
In 1978 and 1980, respectively, my brother Craig and I (Ashlee) were born. We lived on Long Island in Brookhaven, NY until Wally got a job coaching Breck Highschool Hockey. We moved to Saint Paul, MN in 1990. Wally and his wife, Beth moved to Marine on Saint Croix, MN in 2001 to a house nestled in the woods on Big Marine Lake.
Wally was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in Mid-November and lost his short battle with the condition on Sunday, January 11, 2009.
Preceded in death by father, John; brothers, John, Delbert and Glen; sister, Iris Zempel. Survived by his wife, Beth; children, Craig and Ashlee;
mother, Avis; brother, Larry;
beloved dog, Olivia; other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Service to be held at a later date (in March or April).
Of course there are many details and personal stories I've missed. Please feel free to leave them in the comments section (click the word "comments" below). This website will be here for a long time, please return anytime and read what others' have to say about our friend, Wally.
Please check back, or sign up for this blog newsletter at the right to be notified of upcoming memorial information and events.
Memorials may be sent to
Beth Olds
13278 - 188th Street North
Marine On St. Croix, MN 55047
Posts
I just want to let Wally's family know that he will be missed by so many up here in Baudette. I was lucky to get to call Wally a friend from the time we were children and will always remember that grin of his. I looked forward to visits with him when he was in Baudette. Every time anyone walks into the Baudette Arena they are greeted by photos of Wally and his hockey history. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace dear friend. Shelley
Shelley Phillippe (Baudette, MN)
To Wally's family:
ReplyDeleteJeff had the pleasure of knowing Wally and working with him for over a year, and I was lucky to be able to meet Wally at his employer's holiday party in 2008. Our sincerest condolences for your loss - Wally will be greatly missed by all. We hope you can find peace after his brief battle with illness and comfort in the presence of family and friends.
To Wally:
From one defenseman to another, I believe with all my heart that you made it to the big "ice rink in the sky." Be sure to keep the rink clear and smooth for the rest of us, for someday we will all see you soon, with skates and sticks in hand! Angie
Jeff & Angie Gelhaye (Apple Valley, MN)
I have known Wally for the past 4 years as a co-worker at TestResources. It was always a joy to work with him on sales opportunities. I really enjoyed those few times I got to meet with him face to face at TestREsources. His wonderful attitude and great grin will stay with me. Best regards, Jack Noren
ReplyDeleteJack Noren (Grass Lake, MI)
My condolences on your loss and the Minnesota hockey world's loss.
ReplyDeleteI met Wally at freshman camp in the fall of 1967 during University orientation. I knew him then as a fellow science student, only later realizing he was also there to play hockey, a sport I love and that my family was very involved with.
Later, we found ourselves in a humanities class during one winter quarter. Wally would meet with me after road trips to get my notes from the lectures and discuss the readings (we had to read something like 8 books in 10 weeks). Those were good times and interesting discussions.
He is at peace. May you be also.
I graduated from high school with Wally and he was the shining star of our class. He accomplished so much in his lifetime and was truly a big man, in every sense of the word. Beth, Craig, Ashlee and Avis, Rodney and I are so very sorry that he had to leave. God bless you and God bless his memory.
ReplyDeleteJudy Gubbels
Ashlee, I am saddened to hear about the death of your father. I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI met Wally at several Keith Myhre parties, chatted a bit, and thought he was a fine guy who was also an all-America jock. We happened to meet at sports bar once; he remembered me, and we chatted more; I was surprised that he was a 4.0 EE-he was such a regular guy; a fine person who we will miss. Prayers and thoughts to the family
ReplyDeleteGary
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI am Wally's niece Robin. I am sorry for all of us that Wally was taken so early in life. But I am not sorry for him. His Soul is making a remarkable, amazing journey!
I am a huge believer in "Life is School, Death is Graduation"! I know Wally is at peace and has graduated Valedictorian once again! His caring and service to others, and his diligence in living life to the fullest, will always be remembered and admired!
He has accomplished so much in his short life. And he made his family proud. He still makes them proud!!
I know that he would say at this moment: God is Good, and I am with Him. I know that God has a plan, and I am part of it!! I am okay, and I am well! Waiting for you.
His Children are proud; and his Wife, my Aunt Beth, who still glows at the mention of his name, is so proud!
God Bless Wally!
God Bless You All!!
Love,
Robin
Wally one, taco nothing.
ReplyDeleteWally always knew the score.
I am grateful to have known him.
god bless
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss Wally. He was one of my "favoritest" uncles. Love Deborah
ReplyDeleteIt has taken time for me to grasp that Uncle Wally has left us. I do have countless memories of my time with him. Going to Minnesota when I was fifteen, going to the metro dome for the All Star home run derby. That afternoon a ball was hit our way and barehanded, Uncle Wally made the grab! What a catch what a moment it was awesome. On the drive home from MN to NY he taught me fractions. It must have been a 500 mile lesson but he never gave up on me. Yup it was summer school on wheels and I just wanted a piece of chicken, right Aunt Beth?
ReplyDeleteI also recall as a kid when Uncle Wally would give me his hockey sticks and I’d be so proud to play amongst my friends with them. I’d go in his garage and we would talk about Real Estate, Solar, all kinds of things he was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known. I thank god for blessing me with an Uncle like Wally. He was an Uncle I’d admired, loved, and respected. As all of you here I will miss him very much. Uncle Wally, may you have you stick on the Ice speed under your blades and love in your heart. Your friend your student your nephew, Shane.
Wally jag minns nar du var i sverige. Jag minns nar jag besokte dej hemma o brookhaven. Jag minns nar du tog med mej pa traningarna i scandinavium. Nagonstans har jag fortfarande dina handskar som jag fick av dej. Beth jag har fortfande kvar din bilder nar du gick med bena i kors. Wally i love you man. Jesper Goteborg
ReplyDeleteWally. I love you man. Jesper. Sweden
ReplyDeleteWally,Beth and their two little freckled children were our neighbors on Bay Lane before they moved North for Wally to continue his hockey career.He was a giant gentleman and I'll never forget biking down the road one day and seeing Herb Brooks and Wally and the kids walking back from the bay.Beth's cousins Dana,Dylan and Ryan still live in the Old's former home and they told me of Wally's passing.Our regards to Ash,Craig and Beth.
ReplyDeleteBill,Michele Chris & Kari Rabatin
Just a quick thought...One day after responding to a fire,a bunch of kids were playing roller hockey behind the Brookhaven firehouse.One kids stick had "OLDS" printed on the shaft.I asked the kid where he got it and he told me it was given to him at a Long Island Cougars game years ago. I explained Wally's Olympic history, his friendship with Herb in Minnesota and Davos as well as The Flames.I had a new stick in my vehicle which I gave to the kid and told him to take Wally's stick and put it on his wall.
ReplyDeleteHe was a really nice man I remember playing with Wally here on long island in the mid 80s when we skated at a rent out with many former ducks players.. He took an interest in me and offered to help me at that time to play in europe. I never forgot what a nice man he was.. He had a lot of humility because I never knew his playing career and he never talked about it. I only learned about it these past few days looking him up.. Thank you wally for your vote of confidence in me at th time. I really appreciated it an never forgot you.. RIP my friend you whre a really nice person
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that story. We all appreciate it. -Ashlee Olds (Wally’s daughter)
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