Luann M. (Waldal) Gallagher

Luann M. Gallagher, age 85 formerly of Wautoma WI, Neenah WI, Temecula CA and Chicago IL, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Wausau at her son's home. She was born in Chicago on November 30, 1939 to Ovid and Evelyn (Anderson) Waldal. Luann, and her family, moved back to the Wautoma area at a young age where she attended the one room school house Willow Grove (k-8) on County Road MM. There her teacher Mrs. Culligan and her class mates left life long memories and friendships. She was confirmed in 1953 at West Holden Church. She graduated Wautoma H.S. in 1957 where she was involved in many clubs, was a student assistant librarian and enjoyed her friendships of class mates as many of them became lifetime friends. After high school she moved to Chicago for work. On August 22, 1958 she married James Gallagher in Chicago. Together they had 3 sons Don, Steve and Dave. Luann and her husband Jim opened a bicycle store, in Chicago, Jimmer's Cycle in 73' - 79' where they worked with their children. In 76' her husband Jim died leaving her with 3 teenage boys, a mortgage, a business, business loans and many medical bills. Luann dug in and and rebuilt her life successfully. Luann moved back to Wautoma in 1980 with sons Steve and Dave in tow where she built a house across the street from the house she grew up in and her mother was in. She had the time if her life moving back to Wautoma reconnecting with her friends and family that she had missed. Luann worked at the Wild Rose Hospital and then Schlmet Foundry for several years. In 1989 she sold everything and moved to California where she reconnected with her favorite person on planet earth, her sister Ellen (Chuck). Luann worked at Guidant Medical where she worked in the production of heart stents during her time in California. In 1997 Luann moved to Neenah WI to be closer to family and there she was able to take care of her ailing mother Evelen for 6 years until her death at 102 years old. Luann lived in Neenah, where she had the best neighbor's ever the Ball family, until 2019 when her dementia progressed and she could not live on her own anymore. She enjoyed always being right on everything, enjoyed her family, extended family and staying in touch them, her many friendships with her besties from her youth, gardening, oil painting, bargain hunting and speaking her mind on everything including politics. Luann was a past member of West Holden Lutheran Church.

Luann is survived by two of her children: Dave (LeeAnn), Steve (Tracy); grandchildren: Jason, Brandon, Whitney, Shannalee, Nathan, Cheryl, Lucas; great grandchildren: Max, Penny, Skylar; daughter in law Ruthann; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Donald; parents: Ovid and Evelyn; husband: Jim; brother: Oren (Elaine) Waldal; sisters: Ellen (Chuck) Spaulding, Merna (Paul) Renner; grandson Bryan Gallagher.

Memorial services will be held at 11AM on Friday, April 11, 2025 at West Holden Lutheran Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at church from 10AM until the time of services at 11AM.