Willard "Butch" Ralph Wahl

Willard “Butch” Wahl, age 99, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away looking out his big window at home on February 13, 2026, surrounded by his family under hospice care.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton with Pastor Tim Shekleton officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church. Urn bearers will be his grandchildren: Matthew, Chad, Cameron, Kerry, Alyssa, Andrew, Michael, Emily, Justin and Samantha.

Willard Ralph Wahl, better known as “Butch” a nickname given to him by his brothers, was born at the family farm in Taylor Township, to Carl and Amelia (Drescher) Wahl on September 29, 1926. He lived in Taylor Township and was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical United Brethern Church in Taylor Township. He attended country school through the eighth grade. It was in grade school that he first met his future wife, Helen Ahlsten. Butch and Helen were each in a tractor in opposite fields when they were older and that’s when their relationship blossomed. They were married on June 29, 1951, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Monson Township. The couple farmed and raised their four children in Taylor Township. Following retirement in 1994 Willard and Helen moved to Wheaton. Butch was a member of the Bethlehem Covenant Church where he served on the Trustee Board for many years. Butch was lucky enough to win a Ford Ranger from Fleet Farm in 2000. Butch will be remembered for his love of family, hard work, and his strong faith. (and baking brownies)

Willard is survived by his children: Susan (Mark) Ihrke of Plainview, MN; Gary (Twylah) Wahl of Yuma, AZ; Steven (Donna) Wahl of Wheaton, MN; and Gale (Brett) Lupkes of Wheaton, MN; grandchildren: Matthew (Miranda) Wahl of Sartell, MN; Chad (Amy) Klindworth of Wheaton, MN; Cameron (Katie) Wahl of Denver, IA; Kerry Wahl of Fargo, ND; Alyssa (Justin) McLellan of Peoria, AZ; Andrew (Danielle) Wahl of Springfield, OR; Michael (Novy) Klindworth of Austin, TX; Emily (Rory) Wahl of Moorhead, MN; Justin Lupkes of Fargo, ND; and Samantha Lupkes of Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren: Kaitlynn and Kianna Wahl; Ava, Connor, and Anya Klindworth; Hunter and Gavin Wahl, Garrett Wahl, Megan and Allison Arjes; Cohen, Aili, and Brody McLellan; and Benjamin, Evelyn and Theodore Wahl.

Willard was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 70 years Helen; his parents; brothers: Harry, Emil, Albert, William and Harvey; sisters: Arleen (Spike) Keel, and Esther Jones; and granddaughter Amber Wahl.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wheaton Community Diner or CHI Hospice in Breckenridge, MN.