Wallace, Bernard C. 1936-2009

WALLACE, HOCH, DITTMER

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 11/7/2009 at 10:15:12

Bernard Charles was born on October 27, 1936, in Warren County, Iowa, to Paul and Anna (Dittmer) Wallace.

Bernard attended and graduated from Lacona High School.

After high school Bernard worked for the Wilkinson Coal Company for a short time before joining the Ford Company of Des Moines. He worked for Ford until the company moved out east and he began to work for Eagle Iron Works; as an over the road truck driver for many years. Bernard retired in 2001 working assembly at Eagle Iron Works.

Bernard married Carolyn Hoch on April 20, 1963. They were married for 46 years and blessed with three children, Kevin and Jeff Wallace, and Bernadine Hemmingson.

Bernard and Carolyn enjoyed sprint car racing. Bernard was named “fan of the year” at the Knoxville Raceway in 1992. Bernard and Carolyn traveled to many different sprint car tracks to watch racing. His favorite racer is Skip Jackson. He also enjoyed NASCAR, an avid western book reader and movie buff. A few of Bernard special enjoyments were his grandchildren, watching the Price is Right, the Wheel of Fortune, and also coffee with his friends in the morning and afternoon.

Bernard passed away on Monday, August 24, 2009, at the Hospice Comfort House in Pella at the age of 72 years, 9 months, and 27 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Wallace; two sisters, Janice Wadle and Marilyn Dittmer; and two brothers, Dennis Wallace and Keith Wallace.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Carolyn Wallace of Knoxville; his children, Kevin Wallace of Star Prairie, WI, Jeff and Sharon Wallace of Knoxville, and Bernadine and Chuck Hemmingson of West Des Moines; and 11 grandchildren, Jessica, Nicole, Andrew, Jenna, and Nicholas Wallace, Taylor and Mason Bowes, Carli and Trey Hemmingson, Shane and Ryan Sweitzer. Bernard is also survived by three sisters, Clarice and Raymond Chambers, Charlotte and Franklin Dittmer, and Marylee and Dean Hoch; one brother, Melvin and Norma Wallace; and many nieces and nephews.

Service: Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:00 AM St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Knoxville, IA

Winfield Funeral Home Aug. 27, 2009