Richard "Rich" Walania

Rich Walania, age 71, of Eagle Lake, lost his battle with cancer on March 6, 2023, at his home. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, Madison Lake.  Visitation will be Friday, March 10 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at church.  Burial will be at the Eagle Lake Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to DAV (Disabled American Veterans). 

Rich was born on February 13, 1952, in Wells, MN to Michal and Maria (Szymanska) Walania, both of whom immigrated to the USA from Poland in 1951.  Rich served in the United States Army from 1969-1972 during Vietnam.  Rich worked for over 40 years at Hendley’s Inc. as a surface engineer.  On May 22, 1998, Rich was united in marriage to Judy Waibel in Las Vegas.  Rich loved the outdoors and spending the summers at the lake.  He enjoyed fishing and organizing fishing trips, always trying to catch the “big one”.  Rich loved watching the MN Twins and Vikings, traveling, a good card game, a cold beer, pierogis, gardening his cucumbers and tomatoes, organizing casino bus trips and Jakes Stadium Pizza.  It would be of no surprise if Richard showed up at your door with Dum Dum’s in one pocket and dog treats in the other for an afternoon visit.  Rich was proud of his Polish heritage and his service in the US Army.  Rich never met a problem he couldn’t fix or a person he couldn’t tell a joke to.  Rich’s sense of humor, his big friendly smile and generous heart leave many wonderful memories for family and friends.

The only logical explanation for both Rich and brother John passing about the same time is that GOD must have a big drywall project up there and he needed the best two guys for the job.

Rich is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Rich “Gus” Walania (Staci Santoro); grandchildren, Nate, Allison, Grace, Drew, and Sam Walania; sisters, JoAnn Hall and Barb Walania (John Myers); sisters-in-law, Tammy Walania, Teresa (Bob) Batzel, and LaDonna (Gary) Olson; brothers-in-law, Randy Kleist, David (Barb) Walkes, Jim (Becky) Walkes, Robert (Connie) Walkes and Roger (Judy) Walkes; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Jeff Walania and Graham Waibel; sister, Wanda Kleist; brother, John Walania; grandson, Andrew Walania; and father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Frances Walkes.