Waldemar John Moline

Waldemar (Wally) John Moline, age 90, of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away on May 21, 2025, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was born on October 29, 1934, to John Fabian Thorsten Moline and Agnes Virginia (Johnson) Moline in West Sweden, Wisconsin. Wally attended early school in West Sweden and graduated High School in Frederic, Wisconsin, in 1953. After one year of college at River Falls State Teacher’s College, River Falls, Wisconsin, he served in the U.S. Army as a medic in Europe on the ski patrol for the 350th Infantry. Military honors include the National Defense Service Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon discharge, Wally returned home to complete his undergraduate degree and marry his high school sweetheart, Sandra (Sandy) Christiansen in 1957. The couple moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where Wally went on to father his son, John Anton, in 1959, and earn his Master’s Degree in Agronomy in 1961 from the University of Minnesota. Wally and Sandy moved to Ames, Iowa, where he completed his doctoral research in the field of Agronomy at Iowa State University and earned his Ph.D. in 1965, fathering both of his daughters, Ann Elizabeth in 1962 and Mialisa Ann in 1965, during that time.

Wally worked as an Extension Specialist in forage crops at both the University of Maryland – College Park and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, achieving the rank of Full Professor. In 1976, Wally and his family moved to Arkansas, where his career progressed as Department Head of Agronomy, Vice President for Agriculture, and Director of the Cooperative Extension Service for the University of Arkansas. He was a member of the USDA Joint Council for Food and Agricultural Sciences for two terms. He traveled to the U.S.S.R. in 1977 for John Deere Company, working to help Russian farmers understand how to best incorporate modern farm machinery into their existing farm practices.

From 1985 through 1997, Wally served as Director of the Cooperative Extension Service and as Associate Vice President for Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Sciences at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He traveled to China to review the status of agricultural research and extension. He also reviewed the extension service in Latvia in 1987, through USAID. Wally served as President of the American Forage and Grassland Council in 1975 and Associate Editor of both the “Agricultural Journal” and the “Crop Scientist” academic journals. He wrote 115 research and technical articles for various academic journals in his field of study over the course of his career.

After retirement to Bella Vista, Arkansas, in 1997, Wally continued to play golf, craft woodworking, enjoy photography, and read avidly. He served on his church council several times. He built a second home in rural Ahmeek, Michigan, and spent much of his time enjoying family, traveling extensively, playing golf, gardening, and immersing himself in the beauty of his natural surroundings. His final year was spent at Pine Ridge Assisted Living, part of the Christian Community Homes and Services (CCHS) in Hudson, Wisconsin. The family would like to thank CCHS staff for all the care and compassion they showed Wally during his time with them.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Thorsten and Agnes Moline; his brothers Thorsten Jr., Alfred (Kay), Carl, Fred, and Leonard (Belva); his sister, Mary Peterson (Dave); his sister-in-law, Joan Webb; his niece Carolyn Bartlein (Kevin); and his nephews Gary Hjulberg and Scott Moline.

Surviving Wally are his wife, Sandy Moline; brother, Harold Moline; son, John Moline (Leslie); daughters, Ann Moline and Mialisa Moline Collins (Christopher); granddaughters, Jessica Davison (Pat), Abigail Anderbard (James), Rebecca Hubbard, and Rachel Moline; sisters-in-law Sally Bair and Kay Moline; nieces, Lori Bantz, Cherrie Moore, Janel Moline, Wende Moline, and Brenda Moline-Bass; nephews, Paul Hjulberg (Lisa), Alan Hjulberg, Donovan Gustafson (Terri), Jarl Gustafson (Kathleen), Chris Moline, Bruce Moline, Mike Moline (Tracey), Wade Moline, and Charlie Moline; three great-granddaughters, Marion Andrews, Oriana Davison, and Vivienne Davison; a great-grandson Gavin Davison; a grand-niece, Diane Bartlein (Gina); a grand-nephew, Dan Bartlein, and many others.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11am at O’Connell Funeral Home, 520 11th Street S, Hudson, Wisconsin. Visitation begins at 10am, and fellowship will follow the service. A private family internment will take place later this summer at Grace Lutheran Church, West Sweden, Wisconsin.

God rest his beautiful soul.