SPARTA-Wallace Edward Fromm, 83, of Sparta, died on November 25, 2024, at Villa Pines Living Center, Friendship. He was born on October 20, 1941, in Port Washington, Wisconsin, to Martin and Esther (Schreiber) Fromm. Wally was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg. His elementary years were spent at the Elm Tree one room school house. Wally’s childhood involved a lot of hard work on the family farm/orchard. He spent several hours selling apples, gladiolas, and potatoes each Saturday at the farmers’ market in Milwaukee. Wally graduated from Cedarburg High School in 1959. He attended Concordia Teacher's College in both St. Paul, Minnesota, and Seward, Nebraska, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1966. He received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Iowa.
He married Margaret L. Friedrich on June 12, 1965, in Belvidere, Minnesota. In 1966, Wally began his teaching career at St. Paul’s Lutheran Parish in Williamsburg, Iowa. He and Marge had four children before moving to Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1973. He taught at Melrose-Mindoro Elementary School until becoming paralyzed in 1998.
Wally loved adventure and being outdoors. He spent numerous vacations sailing, both on area lakes and on Lake Superior, biking on trails throughout the state, whitewater rafting along the rivers of the Appalachian Mountains, cross country skiing, camping, and canoeing along area rivers. He also enjoyed pressing apple cider, gardening, playing cards and, more than anything, spending time with his children and grandchildren. He volunteered as a tutor at the Sparta Boys and Girls Club and was treasurer of the Sparta Gardening Club. Author of three autobiographical books, Wally enjoyed sharing his childhood adventures, as well as his young adult years, with his readers.
Wally was a member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church where he spent many years as an elder, as well as being on the member care committee, and helping to count the church offerings. His faith in God has sustained him through many challenges in life. He has met difficulty with uncomplaining strength, joy and love that could only come from the Lord. We rejoice that he now has met Jesus face to face and look forward to spending our eternity with him.
He is survived by his son, Lowell Fromm (Carol Yirkovsky), of Sparta, his daughter, Beth (Darren) Pierce, of Marion, Iowa, his son, Clay (LaRae) Fromm, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his daughter, Julie (John) Falkers of Viroqua, Wisconsin, eleven grandchildren: Dustin (Michelle) Pierce, Cassandra (Dylan) Mumm, Michael (Hannah Mayer), Benjamin, and Tabitha Fromm, Rachel (Daniel) Schwarz, Andrew (Cheyenne), Joseph, Hannah, Sarah, and Catherine Falkers, and five great grandchildren: Timothy Schwarz, Joseph, Steven, Reid, and Charlie Falkers.
He was preceded in death by his father, Martin Fromm, his mother, Esther Fromm; his wife, Margaret; and four brothers: William, Richard, Warren, and Arthur Fromm.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at St. John’s Ev Lutheran Church, Sparta. Burial will be in the church cemetery with a luncheon to follow back at the church.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given in Wally's memory to St. John's Lutheran Church and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
