In Passing – January 2025

Wallace Dean Cornelius

Wallace D. “Wally” Cornelius of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 3, 2024, at home where he resided with his wife Connie and their faithful dog, Pita.

Wally was born on June 2, 1927, in Roslyn, S.D., the youngest of five children to Henry and Emily Cornelius. He grew up in Sisseton, S.D., where he left school at age 14 to drive trucks for income. At age 16 he moved with his mother to Portland, Ore., where he was trained and employed in the shipyards as a welder where he remained for two years before moving to Minnesota. He soon after joined the Marines and served in the Aleutian Islands.

After service, he returned to Minnesota where he met and married Patricia Moen. Together they raised five boys, mostly in Chaska, Minn. Wally worked as a long-haul trucker for Munsingwear crisscrossing the country between Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, and Alabama. After retirement. He and Pat purchased an RV and a home in Sun Lakes, Ariz. They spent several years traveling to California, Alaska, and much of the Midwest. Pat died in 1999. Wally then met and married Lois Bennett, who died in 2007. Wally attended many “Cheers” singles events in Sun Lakes where he met Connie Kindsvater. Together they traveled in his RV and enjoyed several river cruises in Europe. Wally and Connie wed on Dec. 20, 2018, in their home in Palo Verde of Sun Lakes. They enjoyed their patio overlooking the golf course immensely and together watched the golfers when Wally could golf no longer.

Wally was preceded in death by wife Pat, sons Kim and Jeff and wife Lois. He is survived by sons Patrick, Scott, and Paul, grandchildren, Luke, Amy, Emma (Scott, Dean, Darcy (Jeff), and Troy (Patrick), along with six great–grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Papa.” Wally also leaves his wife, Connie and their much-loved dog, Pita, Connie’s children Diane, Debbie, and Alan as well as five grandchildren and five great–grandchildren.

Wally was a strong supporter of the Shriners Hospital and Disabled Veterans.

Wally will be cremated, and a private burial will be held in May at a Chaska, Minn., family plot.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warriors, Veterans Association, or Hospice of the Valley are requested.

 

Shirley Ann Danner

Shirley Ann Danner, age 89, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

Shirley was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 8, 1935. She graduated from Plainview High School in Plainview, Texas. She was married to William (Bill) T. Danner on March 6, 1955, in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Shirley was one of the friendliest persons you would ever meet. She was active in the Christian church throughout her life, volunteering in prison ministry and leading women’s Bible studies.

Shirley was a full-time wife and mother of three boys, Ron, Dan, and Bill. She is survived by her husband, Bill, and their three boys; Ron and his wife, Denise; Dan and his wife, Cindy; and Bill; her stepbrother Dr. Larry Karrh, her grandchildren, Derek, Kara, Ben, Tim, Bryce, Kahle, Ellie, Liam, and Casey Andree, and one great-grandchild, Emma.

 

Edwin J. Johnson

Edwin (Ed) John Johnson, 82, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 30, 2024. Ed was born on Sept. 16, 1942, to Arnold and Grace (Olson) Johnson in Rathdrum, Idaho.

After graduating from High School in Mound, Minn., he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962, retiring after 20 years as an Air Traffic Controller. He was very patriotic as witnessed by the American flags in his yard and on his golf cart and was a member of the American Legion. After his military retirement from Williams Air Base, he taught Air Traffic Control at the FAA Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

He then gained employment with the U.S. Postal Service in Mesa, Ariz., as a letter carrier for 20 years. After this retirement he was then able to spend as much time on the golf course as he could, loving the game.

On a trip to Oklahoma to visit a friend he met his current wife of 30 years, Wanda (Tam) Johnson. During those years they resided in Arkansas, Arizona, and their cabin in northern Arizona, deciding their forever home was Sun Lakes.

Ed is survived by his wife Wanda; daughter Tamara (Johnson) Noel; son Bryan Johnson; three grandchildren; sister Margaret Johnson; brothers Ronald Johnson and Richard Johnson. He was preceded in death by his brothers Arlen Johnson and Everett Johnson and by his parents Arnold and Grace.

Ed will be laid to rest at Valley of the Sun Mortuary in Chandler, Ariz. A thank you to Hospice of the Valley for comfort in his final hours.

A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held in February or March of 2025.

 

Donna Marie Maliczak

Donna Maliczak passed away on Nov. 24 at the age of 93. Donna was born in Milwaukee, Wis. She had three children and was married to husband Ralph for 73 years. She did some modeling for the Milwaukee Journal in her teen years. While living in California she opened a china store in Redlands, Calif. One of her favorite pastimes was to knit baby hats for the Chandler Hospital. She donated hundreds of them over many years. She had one grandson and three granddaughters. She enjoyed her time in the Red Hat group and kept in touch with her best friends. She will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Her ashes will be at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix. May she rest in peace and may the perpetual light shine upon her.

 

Dan Ricketts

Dan Ricketts, age 59, passed away on Nov. 3, 2024. He is survived by his mother, Vickey Ricketts, and two sisters, Robin Ricketts and Kim Obourn, both from the Denver area.

Dan graduated from high school in Castle Rock, Colo., and attended Arizona State University where he earned two degrees, one in pure chemistry and a second in Russian and German, graduating with honors in both degrees.

He worked at the National Security Administration as a Russian linguist.

Upon returning to Phoenix, he worked 20 years at Southwest Labs as a “responsible person,” chief toxicologist. In Tacoma, he was a “responsible person” at Sterling Lab for 11 years.

He returned to Phoenix to assist his father until he passed away two years later. He moved to Sun Lakes to assist his mother. During that time he did lab inspections throughout the United States, on a part-time basis, for Research Triangle Institute.

Dan was an intelligent man with a unique sense of humor.

He will be missed by family and friends.

 

Dolores “Dee” Rysdahl

Dolores “Dee” Spitzack Rysdahl passed away on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the age of 95. Dee was born on April 18, 1929, to Albert and Ruby (Jones) Spitzack in Faribault, Minn. Dee met her husband, Alton, during their first week in college at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. The two married in August 1950 and together raised seven children.

Dee was a woman of many interests and careers. Dee returned to college in the late 1960s to complete her degree in art at Southwest Minnesota State University. She earned a B.A. in 1971 as a member of the charter class of SMSU. She continued her association with SMSU after graduation as a board member and President of the SMSU Foundation. Dee’s interest in art and interior design led her to start her own interior design studio, Décor Designs, in 1972 in Madison, with another location added later in Marshall.

While continuing as a partner in Décor Designs, Dee again returned to school, this time to earn a Master’s Degree in Psychology from South Dakota State University in 1989. Dee became a licensed psychologist in Minnesota and began her next career. She served as the area director for the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (1985-1987), and as a counselor at SMSU (1989), Psychological Resources (1989-1990), and Western Human Development Center (1990-1995) in Marshall.

Following their retirements, Al and Dee became snowbirds, spending their winters in Sun Lakes, Ariz. Dee continued to be very active in local organizations, including Questers, an organization devoted to historical preservation. Dee served as President of the Arizona Chapter of Questers and was instrumental in organizing and hosting the national Questers annual meeting in Arizona. She also continued her lifelong love of learning by teaching and attending numerous classes at New Adventures in Learning for Seniors, teaching English in China, and participating in a creative writing group.

Throughout her life, Dee was actively involved in her Lutheran church, serving at various times as a district officer, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Ladies Aid president.

Dee is survived by her seven children: Renee (Larry) Stevens (Santa Fe, N.M.), Dennis (Jolita) Rysdahl (Tofte, Minn.), Elly (Dale) Muellerleile (Mt. Vernon, Wash.), Diane (Ron) Halgerson (Marshall, Minn.), Paul (Jill) Rysdahl (Marshall, Minn.), Joyce (Dave) Anastasi (Lindstrom, Minn.), and Wayne (Lynne) Rysdahl (Arvada, Colo.); 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Al, and her granddaughter, Beret.

Loren L. Seago

Loren L. Seago, age 97, flew into the wild blue yonder on Nov. 15, 2024, to join his beloved wife of 76 years, Frances (Frankie) Seago. Loren was born in Cambridge, Neb., but grew up in Denver, Colo. He served in the United States Merchant Marines toward the end of World War II. After the war he worked as a mechanic for the Denver Fire Department and later owned his own insurance agency. Loren and Frankie raised their family in Denver, enjoyed spending time with friends and family at their cabin in Grand Lake, Colo., and purchased a winter home in Sun Lakes in 1975. Loren had a fierce devotion to his family, an enduring sense of fun and mischief, an insatiable interest in learning, and a constant desire to be doing.

He is survived by his youngest brother Jerry Seago; his children Judy Sleasman, Loren Seago Jr., and Ralph Seago; and six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

 

Lloyd A. Vogel

Lloyd A. Vogel, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 89. Lloyd was born in Valley City, N.D., on May 19, 1935, to the late Ernie and Rena Vogel.

Lloyd graduated from St. Catherine’s High School and married the love of his life, Patsy Fagerstrom on Nov. 11, 1954, in Valley City, N.D. This, of course, was after the milkman let Lloyd deliver the milk bottles on Patsy’s door steps (where she was dressed up awaiting his milk delivery). Together they shared 70 remarkable years of marriage. Lloyd established a career in electronics working for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and then for Motorola in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Lloyd proudly served his country with distinction in the United States Army with his first assignment in their beloved Germany. Both he (Jazzbo) and Patsy shared a passion for wine, art, and music, particularly jazz, and their adventurous spirits were evident in his love of travel. They traveled extensively together, visiting more than 25 countries including several memorable family vacations enjoyed with their children. He believed that a good bottle of wine shared in good company was one of life’s greatest pleasures.

A devoted family man, Lloyd is survived by his wife, Patsy Jean Vogel; his daughter, Peggy Scherling (Alan); son, Christopher Vogel (Peggy); grandchildren, Juni Cruz (Rhonda), Joseph Cruz (Faviola), Katie Staffeldt (Josh), Kayla Romero, Jason Hall (Kyle), and Sabbath Vogel; great-grandchildren, Andrew Cruz, Amy Cruz, Jazmin Cruz, JJ Cruz, Kali Romero, Jaylynn Romero, Asher Hall, Cayde Hall, and Tavin Hall; his sisters, Tina Rockswold of Sparks, Nev., and JoAnn Lubick of Brownsburg, Ind. He is preceded in death by his son, Terrance Vogel.

Funeral services were entrusted to Valley of the Sun Mortuary. Lloyd was laid to rest with military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lloyd’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

 

Beverly J. Waters

Beverly Joan (Connors) Waters, 90, passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 23, 2024, in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Beverly was born on Sept. 13, 1934, in Elwood, Ind., to John WE Connors and Gladys (Long) Connors. She was the sixth of 10 children. She graduated high school from St. Joseph Academy in Tipton, Ind., in 1952 and from Indiana Business College in Lafayette, Ind., in 1984. She lived most of her life in Lafayette working in accounting and later in the caregiving field.

Beverly married Thomas R. Schafer in 1956 and they had three children.

Beverly was married to James B. Sigo of Remington, Ind., for 14 years.

In 1995, Beverly married Donald Waters Sr. in Indiana. He passed away on April 23, 2005.

In 2006, Beverly began spending the winter months in Arizona where she met her friend of 19 years, Leal Behrens of Mesa. Beverly eventually relocated to Sun Lakes in 2014.

Beverly was active in the Eagles, Moose, and Elks Lodges in Indiana and was president of the Eagles women’s auxiliary in Lafayette in 2004 after holding other offices there. She played the accordian and sang in many church choirs. She enjoyed crocheting and cooking for large family gatherings. She provided end-of-life care for her own mother in her home in Indiana. She was active in the Sun Lakes Community and enjoyed music and dancing with her many friends. She was a member of the Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Sun Lakes.

Surviving are two daughters, Jane (Schafer) Travis of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Marie (Schafer) Bradfield of Sun Lakes; one son, Jerry Schafer (Lori) of Zionsville, Ind.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Rebecca (Becky) Stanley of Columbus, Ind.; one brother, John Robert (Bob) Connors of Elwood, Ind.; and many nieces and nephews.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, two sisters, and one son-in-law.

The funeral service was held on Dec. 6.

Donations can be made to Feed the Children.

 

Marilyn K. Wiggins

Marilyn K. Wiggins, 87, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on Dec. 1, 2024 at Cadence in Chandler.

Marilyn was born on Feb. 8, 1937, in Lyons, Kansas, as the eldest child of Stanley and Alice Emily (Cramm) Wiggins. She spent her youth in Lyons with her parents and two brothers (Dale and Jon). She attended Lyons High School where she excelled in swimming as well as played the saxophone. She graduated in 1955. She then attended Colorado Women’s College where she graduated cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree in 1957, followed by the University of Kansas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology in 1960.

She worked as a medical technologist in California before moving to the Seattle, Wash., area, where she pursued an accounting degree at Central Washington University and graduated with a bachelor’s in Accounting in 1982. She then held a long career as a CPA for the University of Washington.

She moved to Sun Lakes in 2003 after retiring to be near her brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Wanda Wiggins.

Marilyn was a lifetime member of the Order of the Rainbow of the Queen Esther Chapter of the Kansas Order of the Eastern Star, earning her 50 year pin in 2006. She earned the highest rank of grand cross of color for outstanding service.

Marilyn was fiercely independent. She loved to travel and tried to visit as many places around the world as she could. She collected pins wherever she went, amassing over 150 from her travels domestically and abroad. She enjoyed being a part of the American Volkssport Association, and frequently went on walking expeditions with friends in Washington. She enjoyed being around people and valued her close friendships. Marilyn lived a life MORE traveled and didn’t need anyone to tell her how to fulfill it.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Jon. She is survived by her brother Dale Wiggins, sister-in-law Wanda Wiggins, four nieces and nephews. Interment will be in Lyons, Kansas, at a later date.