Walter Chapman

Walter "Wally" Chapman, age 72, of rural Morristown, died peacefully at his home on Nov. 6, 2013, following a two-year battle with cancer and its many complications.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault, with the Rev. Lora Sturm, Faribault Area Hospice Chaplain officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park of Faribault on Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.

Walter James Chapman was born on March 26, 1941 to Gordon and Thelma (Braaten) Chapman in Faribault, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church, Faribault. He attended Garfield Elementary and Faribault High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967 on the USS Yorktown during the Vietnam War. He married Mary Jo LeMieux on April 27, 1974, at St. Lawrence Church in Faribault. He worked at various jobs prior to his employment at Land O'Lakes in Faribault, where he worked for over 34 years from 1968 until retiring in 2002 when the local plant closed.

Wally enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and especially loved bass fishing. He also played softball in Faribault for many years and enjoyed playing golf after his retirement. He was a handyman and learned his carpentry skills working with his father at a young age. Wally loved spending time with his family, and was very proud of his kids and grandkids. He was a very friendly guy and will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his many jokes and stories.

Wally is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Jo; children, Dr. James Chapman of Spicer, Melissa (and Corey) Dallman of Owatonna, and Eric Chapman of Morristown; three grandchildren, Hunter, Chase and Lauren Dallman of Owatonna; sisters, LaDonna Boudreau of Faribault, Susan (and Robert) Jones of Faribault, Debra (and Nevin) Winkle of Andover, and Kay Luchsinger of Little Canada; his mother-in-law, Angeline LeMieux of Faribault; brothers-in-law, David (and Peggy) LeMieux of Faribault, and Donald (and Lisa) LeMieux of Kilkenny; and many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Chapman and Thelma Mash; stepfather, Mike Mash; brothers, Gerald, Thomas and Charles Chapman; father-in-law, Napoleon LeMieux; brother in law, Darrell Boudreau; and nephew, Nathan Winkle.

The family wishes to thank all of the special people who cared for Wally during his illness, and the wonderful relatives and friends who shared their love in so many ways.

For guest book and further information please visit www.ParkerKohlFuneralHome.com