Wallace Harold “Wally” Ragan, formerly of Sabetha, went to his well earned rest on January 25, 2015 at the age of 89.

Wally was born July 22, 1925 to Clarence and Daisy Mensen Ragan in White Cloud. After graduating from Hiawatha High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He shipped off to the Pacific and was waiting for the invasion of Japan when two atomic bombs brought that part of the war to an end. Wally returned to Hiawatha and met Vivian Alice Burnett on a blind date.  They married in 1947 and eventually moved to Blair, Nebraska where Wally began his life-long career in the grocery business.

Wally was transferred by Safeway to Sabetha in 1957. A few years later he moved to Miller Hy-Klas and eventually bought the business and renamed it Ragan's Hy-Klas.  He worked tirelessly until closing the Main Street store and joining Garrett's Country Market. Always active in the community, Wally was a scout leader. The highlight was leading a group of young Sabetha scouts on a memorable canoe trip to the Canadian boundary waters.
He and Vivian moved to Atria assisted living in Topeka where he rose to Ambassador status through his cheery and outgoing personality.  Vivian preceded him in death, dying in the Apostolic Christian Home in December, 2007. Also preceded in death by son-in-law Dwight Deay and brothers Orville and Newton Ragan.

Wally is survived by his sister Lois Prather and sister-in-law Glenda Ragan, both of Lincoln, Nebraska.  He will be greatly missed by his daughter,  Candyce Deay-Berridge (Scott) of Topeka and his son Kevin (Jan) of East Lansing, Michigan and his loving grand-children Elizabeth Deay-Berridge (Mike Carman) of Lawrence and Lauren Ragan and Colin Ragan of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Wally also leaves his Atria companion, Helen Durstine.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Midland Hospice or First United Methodist Church of Sabetha, which may be sent in care of funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Cremation is planned with a memorial service planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at First United Methodist Church of Sabetha, with Rev. Kelly Sipes officiating. Private family inurnment will be at the Sabetha Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services at the Church. A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com