Outdoor Memorial service for Wallace "Wally" R. Brantseg will be on October 2, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. Officiating the service will be Vicar Pat Schubert. Urn Bearers will be Tom and Joan Brewster, Gordon Stapleton, Colette Hull, Bill Torness, "Kirk" Kirchgasier, Moon Mullens, and Walt Barr. Honorary: All Staff at Edgewood Assisted Living Center and Hospice Nurses.  Inurnment will be immediately following the service with Military Rites by Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post # 50 and Ft. Sisseton VFW Post # 3342.  There will be a luncheon at the Valley View Country Club following the service. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Aside from his years in law school and the Army, Wally made Sisseton his home. He loved the community, consistently supported its businesses, and helped the  people here and in the surrounding area with legal matters ranging from taxes and abstract work to criminal cases. He and Muriel were active members of Grace Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir for many years. He was instrumental in managing the Wm J. Holland and Alyce I. Holland Foundation, which laid the groundwork for other foundations in the community to be established. To date the Holland Foundation has given out $1.5 million over 40 years' time to help support the Sisseton area.  He was proud to live in Sisseton and everywhere he went you'd be sure to hear, "Hi Wally!"

Wally was a member of the SD State Bar for over 50 years, established a highly reputable law practice, and served for 16 years as Roberts County State's Attorney. He loved practicing law and all its challenges that fed his competitive spirit. He was proud of the fact that he never lost a jury trial in all his years of practice. Although he was most known for being a lawyer, he held a wide variety of jobs in his lifetime, including peddling fresh produce from his wagon, paperboy, meat locker worker, soda jerk at the drugstore, and salesclerk at JC Penney. His work ethic became even more important when his father died, leaving him to support his mother and younger sister.  Following high school, he worked for Bell Telephone Company as a construction lineman. He would talk about how he and the guys dug every hole and strung all the lines from Sisseton to Webster. From being a member of the National Guard, was called up to the Army, becoming a Sergeant, training soldiers in marksmanship and tank driving. He says he was a "gung-ho" soldier, and he was very proud to be in the Army, serving the country. After the Army years, he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks receiving a B.S. degree in Business Administration and went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from the UND Law School in 1958. Upon completion, Muriel and he moved back to Sisseton where he joined the William Holland Law Firm, which then became Holland and Brantseg Law Firm.

Wally began golfing at the age of 7, taught and encouraged by his father who was one of the founding fathers of Valley View Country Club just outside of Sisseton. Over his lifetime he had the joy of playing golf on so many courses in the Midwest and California and Canada. Mississippi, primarily in Biloxi, was where he and Muriel spent many winters where they enjoyed not only golf, but great food, new friends, and looking out at the ocean. An exciting highlight was playing on two courses overseas – one in Ireland, and one in Scotland. Proudly displayed in his home are the 7 balls that were hit as holes-in-one! Historically, local golf tournaments were very popular, drawing in about 100 golfers, spectators, and trophies. Wally was proud that he won the club tournament 10 times, including at least once in five decades. He passed on his love of the game by teaching, modeling appropriate play and etiquette, and always encouraging others to play, He would look forward to the tradition of "Summer Golf Camp" held many years with grandsons Rob and Tom. He and Muriel had the unique experience of attending the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National for two days. He would get tears in his eyes every time he'd recall how Mom told him, "This is the most beautiful place on earth."

Clear Lake was a second home for many years. The family enjoyed living at the lake every summer, swimming, skiing, fishing, outdoor adventures, and many other activities. Muriel and Wally loved the lake life together and sharing time with family there. Family gatherings at the lake (and in winter in Sisseton) were some of the happiest times for all. Stories, activities, laughs, and always good food were sure to be had! If you've ever spent any time with Wally, you know he loved a good meal.

Wally was a master at creating and growing relationships. He had a way of seeing the best in people. There were countless people he would refer to as "a good friend of mine." Relationships were fostered in many ways including remembering people's names, treating people with respect and kindness, and taking time to listen. People have repeatedly said that he had a way of making them feel important and accepted. One of the many things he will be missed for is not only his voice, but his exceptional storytelling abilities. Over the years he shared so much about his life experiences and the people he encountered along the way, remembering not only names but vivid details of the times. His stories would draw you in, enrich your life, and provide examples of how this man influenced so many in his lifetime – people of all ages, and walks of life. He would always include giving credit to those who influenced and gave him some breaks or good advice along his journey.

Muriel was the love of his life. You could see it whenever they were together. They met when they were young and created a family and home filled with love and laughter. They enjoyed time spent with their many friends, many vacations, a wide variety of activities, and spending winters in Mississippi for 18 years. His devotion and dedication to Muriel as she slipped away with Alzheimer's Disease was an expression of the love he held in his heart for the person who meant everything to him.

As a father we always knew he had our backs, supporting our life interests, giving gentle guidance, and sharing in whatever was happening in our lives. As spouses and grandchildren were added, Wally and Muriel accepted them as their own, and shared their love and support equally with all of them. Grandpa Wally held his grandchildren close to his heart. He loved reading books to them, teaching them to fish and golf, and loved watching them grow up! They each brought him so much joy and he had a way of knowing each one and accepting them for all that they are and want to be. A testament to this acceptance is how each of his children, their spouses, and grandchildren are all unique individuals.

There are Men, Dads and Grandpas, but not many can compare to the man we honor here. We are eternally grateful for a foundation of unwavering love, kindness, acceptance, and respect. We will miss him so much.

Wallace is survived by his children Richard (Sue) Brantseg, New Brighton, MN, Karen (Rick) Haring, New Brighton, MN, Steve (Merrie) Brantseg, Minneapolis, and Patrick (Aimee) Brantseg, Plymouth, MN; sister Marlene Freeman, Eagan, MN; grandchildren Robert Brantseg, Dr.Thomas (Amanda) Brantseg), Jenna Haring, Daniel Haring, Iris Brantseg, and Kate Brantseg; sister-in laws Donna Wolfe-Sholes, Joan (Felton) Anderson; and His Nieces and Nephews.

Wallace is preceded in death by his parents Helmer and Nora (Hagen) Brantseg- Wertjes; wife Muriel Brantseg; son Michael Brantseg; brother in-law Daniel Felton; parents in-law Earl and Ethel Felton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Wally's dream to redo #9 green can be sent to VVCC, P.O. Box 205, Sisseton, SD 5262.

Condolences can be sent to Karen Haring, 1535 18th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN  55112.