Wallace "Wally" Van Eps

Wallace "Wally" D. Van Eps, age 77, of Willmar, passed away Tuesday evening, September 7, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am. on Monday, September 13, at the Rock of Life Christian Reformed Church in Willmar.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Wallace Dean Van Eps was born on September 27, 1943, in Stevens County, Minnesota, the son of William and Albertha (Stoel) Van Eps.  He grew up in the Hancock, Willmar and Raymond areas. He graduated from Raymond High School in 1961 (which is where he met the love of his life).  On February 8, 1963, Wally was united in marriage to Sharon Visser and made their home in the Renville community for over 50 years.  He was employed for over 46 years as an agronomist at Co-Op Country Farmers Elevator.  Wally was an active member of Emden Christian Reformed Church.  In 2016, they moved to Willmar.  He was a current member of the Rock of Life Christian Reformed Church in Willmar.

Wally’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking and attending stock car races.  He enjoyed long drives through the river bottom and attending all his grandkids activities.  He cherished spending time with all his grandchildren and great grandson.  Wally will be remembered for his kind and loving heart as well as his many pranks.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; three children, Brian (and Kari) Van Eps of Pennock, Kris (and Scott) Sorenson of Caledonia and Jodi (and Joey) Kurtz of Hackensack; six grandchildren, Amber (and John) Schwarte, Kyle Sorenson (and friend, Frances Weyrauch), Justin Van Eps (and friend, Amber Willis), Kailey Van Eps (and friend, Joe Burner), Adyson Kurtz and Brody Kurtz; and one great grandson, Isaiah Schwarte.  Also surviving are four siblings, Kathy (and Mel) Brouwer of Willmar, Harvey (and Glenny) Van Eps of Prinsburg, Tony (and Maxine) Van Eps of Willmar and Gary Van Eps of Arizona and one brother-in-law, Bob Honzay of Olivia, besides other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Barb Honzay.