Wally Sanow, age 64 of McLaughlin, SD, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2009 at the home of his son John Sanow in Bloomsburg, PA.

The Memorial Service for Wally will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Prince of Peace Chapel of the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD. Pastor Florence Hoff will officiate with the cremains being buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon and St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery at Montrose, SD.

Special music will be provided by Jerry Shipman of Seattle, WA, a dear friend to Wally for many years, and Marilyn Willey.

WALLACE ALFRED SANOW was born November 16, 1944 in Sioux Falls, SD to Alfred John and LaVerna (Braun) Sanow. He lived with his parents and three sisters: Karren, Annetta, and LaVonne in Montrose, SD where Wally attended elementary school. In 1951, his father suddenly died of a heart attack when Wally was about 8 years old. His mother, LaVerna, and the four children remained in Montrose until she married Harry Kittelson in 1953. Their family moved to McIntosh, SD and had three more children: Mary, Joseph, and Cece. Wally graduated from McIntosh High School in 1962 where he enjoyed participating in all the sporting activities. A favorite high school memory Wally would frequently share was the time he played in the state high school championship basketball game his senior year. His team lost the game by just 2 points! His friendships with his high school basketball team remained special to him.

After high school, Wally went to Washington, DC where he attended F.B.I. School. He was united in marriage to Barbara J. Mauger in 1964. A son John was born in Washington, DC to this union. Wally and his young family returned to McIntosh, SD where he managed the Hilltop Café and Motel. During this time his daughter Jody, was born in McLaughlin, SD.

Wally moved his family to Kirkland, WA where he served as a Police Officer and later worked in Real Estate. In 1974, he married Anna Swaney Gudmundsson and she had three children: Gretar, Sirry and Hjordis. A daughter Karren, was born to this union. Wally remained in the Seattle, WA area until 1996 when he moved to Bismarck, ND and managed the Ruth Meyer Homeless Shelter. In February 2002, he was hired as a cashier with the Prairie Knights Casino where he worked up until the time of his death. Wally was talented in hosting dinner parties for his family and friends. Sharing a meal and life stories with his loved ones was his greatest enjoyment.

Surviving family members include his son, John and significant other, Patti Mikula, Bloomsburg, PA; his daughter, Jody and her husband, David Troll, Somerset, PA; his daughter, Karren and her husband, Jaeger Hill, El Sabranto, CA; grandson, Brian Bahorik; granddaughters, Lilli and Stella Hill; sisters: Annetta Sanow Sutton, Minneapolis, MN; Mary Engle ,Denver, CO; Cecilia Soucy , Watertown, SD; special family friend, Dennis Fritz, Belle Fourche, SD, special friend, Marilyn Zeman, Spearfish, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his biological father: Alfred Sanow; mother and dad: LaVerna and Harry Kittelson; sisters: Karren Sanow Fritz, LaVonne Sanow; and brother: Joe Kittelson.

A memorial has been established to the American Diabetes Association, and can be sent to Cece Soucy, 1621 Arrow Ave., Watertown, SD 57201.