Wallace Gylten

Wallace Eugene Gylten, 99, of Northwood, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Northwood Deaconess Health Center, with family by his side. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the members of the staff of Northwood Deaconess Health Center for the care they provided to Wally during the past two years. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Wallace was born at his parents’ home near Sharon, North Dakota, on November 24, 1926, to Magnus O. and Alice E. (Olson) Gylten. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended school in Sharon, graduating from high school in 1944 and earning an athletic letter in basketball. When asked about that he said he was an end and guard, he “sat on the end of the bench and guarded the water”.

In December 1944, Wally enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country until July 1946. He attained the rank of Seaman First Class and received training as a radar operator. Following his military service, he attended the University of North Dakota for three and a half years under the G.I. Bill. To help finance the remainder of his education, he accepted a position as a substitute teacher at Lind 99 Rural School. It was there that he discovered his gift for teaching and developed a lifelong love for education.

In 1951, Wally returned to UND to pursue a major in geography and complete his degree. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, E. Arlayne Thingelstad, on June 1, 1952. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree on June 10, 1952. With his characteristic sense of humor, Wally often joked that he got married and became a bachelor all in the same month.

His first full-time teaching position was in Colfax, North Dakota, during the 1952–53 school year. There, he met fellow teacher Dale Peterson, who would become a lifelong friend. Wally and Arlayne later moved to Underwood, North Dakota where they began raising their family. Wally taught social studies and woodworking, drove school bus, and even coached junior high basketball over the course of 14 years.

Summers were often spent near Lake Tobiason south of Northwood. While Arlayne cared for their growing family, Wally worked as a carpenter alongside his brother-in-law, LeRoy Thingelstad. The weekends were spent at Toby Lake with Thingelstad relatives learning to swim, ski and enjoy family time. Along with LeRoy, Wally taught his kids and many others to ski and thoroughly enjoyed his own time on waterskis. (His last time skiing was at age 84!)

Living and teaching closer to Northwood had always been part of Wally and Arlayne’s plan. Wally took a chance by placing his name in the North Dakota Job Service Teacher Placement registry. His friend Dale Peterson, who had by then become principal at Grafton High School, saw Wally’s name and offered him a position. The family packed up and moved to Northwood, and Wally began what would become 21 years of teaching social studies at Grafton Middle School and Grafton High School. Years he spent driving the hour from Northwood to Grafton. He retired from teaching in1988 after influencing the lives of over 2500 students in his 36 ½ year teaching career.

Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down. Wally went to work for Agvise of Northwood, where he spent nearly 20 years, first grinding soil samples and later working as a route driver. He enjoyed meeting and visiting with people from all walks of life. He greeted everyone with a friendly hello, a firm handshake, and, most often, a story or well-told joke.

Wally had a lifelong love of learning, reading, photography and music. He first met Arlayne when they were both singing in a church choir, and music remained an important part of his life. He sang many solos and performed in quartets, trios, and duets at church services, weddings, funerals, and other community events. One of his favorite musical groups was Joyful Praise of Northwood. He was honored to sing with the group on several occasions and enjoyed following them as they performed throughout the area.

Throughout his life, Wally was deeply committed to his country, community and his faith. He helped establish the Northwood Fire Protection District and served as its president. He served as president of the Ebenezer Church Council, caretaker of the South Cemetery, president of the Northwood Lions Club, active member of the American Legion, township tax assessor, and a member of numerous local boards and committees. Above all, he was a faithful servant of Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church.

Wally was also well known for the sweet corn he and his brother Delvin lovingly grew. They meticulously planted and cared for their crop. When harvest time arrived, the school was notified, and Northwood sixth-grade students would come out to help pick enough corn to feed the entire school for lunch one day. The remainder of the crop was enjoyed by those fortunate—and quick enough—to make their purchase at the Farmers Market.

His love of geology, trivia and music led Wally to become an avid Jeopardy and Lawrence Welk fan and a rock collector, although he would jokingly blame Arlayne for the many rocks scattered around outside their home. Wherever they traveled, Wally and Arlayne would keep an eye out for an interesting rock to bring home, creating a collection that reflected his love of the natural world. A daily dose of Jeopardy fueled his desire for knowledge and trivia. He loved to visit with family and friends, with the exception of during Jeopardy or Lawrence Welk viewing time.

In 2009, Wally was invited to take part in the Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Along with his son, Gary and other military veterans, he visited the many memorials built in their honor. He was extremely grateful to have been provided this opportunity to experience the memorials with other veterans and reflect on their lives and time of service.

Wally was preceded in death by his wife, Arlayne; his parents, Magnus and Alice Gylten; twin grandchildren, Danyka Jo and Brianna Kay Gylten (Steve); his brothers, Vernon Gylten and his wife, Thelma, Delvin Gylten; brother-in-law and sister-in-law LeRoy and Mary Jane Thingelstad; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Lola and Bob Jeffries and Twyla and Doug Evenson; and other beloved family members.

He is survived by his loving children, LuAnn (Jordan) Stevens, Lori Gylten, Gary Gylten, Lisa (Kevin) Strand, and Steve (Wendy) Gylten; grandchildren, Joshua Stevens, Melissa Klepzig and her fiancé, Jeremy Gregory, Brandon (Jo) Stevens, Jace (Ashley) Strand, and Jettie Strand; and great-grandchildren, Skylar Klepzig, Calahan, Campbell and Wesley Stevens, Lila Pachel, and Paxton Strand, step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Wally will be remembered for his love of family, teaching, music, reading, photography, community, and the outdoors; for his welcoming handshake and ready smile; and for the stories and humor he so freely shared. His life was one of service, curiosity, faith, and devotion to the people he loved. He leaves behind a family and community deeply grateful for the many years they were blessed to share with him.