Mark Thomas Wallinga
March 10, 1969 ~ April 3, 2024
Age 55 of Wyoming, Minnesota.
Mark Wallinga loved his family with all his heart. His wife, Krista and his four children, Ben, Max, Lucas, and Maren filled him with love and unabashed pride. His family was by his side when he passed away on April 3, 2024 after an extremely short, but courageous fight with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer.
Mark was born on March 10, 1969. He was raised in Bloomington, MN by his loving parents, Eunice and Ernest Wallinga with his three brothers, Steve, John, and Dan. He met his wife, Krista, his junior year in high school and they have been together ever since. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1987, after winning the Minnesota state high school hockey championship with his Kennedy Eagles teammates. He attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis and continued to play hockey for the Auggies.
Mark and Krista married on May 22, 1993 and raised their family in Wyoming, MN. Mark spent his teaching career in the Spring Lake Park School district as a physical education teacher at two different elementary schools, Westwood and Northpoint. Mark’s love of hockey led him to coaching. He coached in Spring Lake Park for several years as the JV coach. He then moved his focus to coaching his own children in their youth hockey endeavors in the Forest Lake Hockey Association, which he loved greatly and never tired of doing. He ended his long coaching career as a JV coach at Forest Lake High School at the same time his youngest son was also in the varsity program, which was incredibly special.
Mark’s greatest joys in life came from his love for his family, being at home and puttering around in the yard, and of course anything hockey. His kindness and support of others never ceased, even at the lowest points of his battle with cancer. Everyone should strive to be more like Mark, show kindness and support for loved ones and strangers alike.
Preceded in death by parents, Ernest & Eunice; aunt, Franny Morley.
Survived by wife of 31 years, Krista; children, Ben, Max (Maddy), Lucas, Maren; brothers, Steve (Sue), John (Beth), Dan (Darlos); in-laws, Bob (Donna) LeClaire; brothers & sisters-in-law, Kevin LeClaire, Mark (Jess) LeClaire, Bill (Lindy) LeClaire, Kathy (Bobby) Holmes, Tom (Tabby), Josh LeClaire; cousin, Tom (Patti) Morley; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be on Friday, April 12th at 5 PM, with visitation beginning at 3 PM at Eagle Brook Church, Lino Lakes. Mark's celebration will continue following the service with a reception at the Hugo American Legion, Hugo, For Mark's life long love of hockey, please feel free to to wear a jersey or any other hockey apparel. We know he would appreciate the sentiment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Union Gospel Mission - www.ugmtc.org/
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With all of our love and deepest sympathy our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mark, had many characteristics that made him connect with so many adults and kids. His smile, his stories, helped make the connections. His work life as an elementary school teacher allowed so many kids to benefit from his professional but yet fun attitude. Father, husband, coach and teacher put Mark into many lives that many will have benefited from his personality. Thank you, Mark.
My name is Kyriacos and I had the privilege to work side by side with Mark for two years at North Point Elementary. I consider Mark my teaching Mentor, as this was my first REAL physical education job since graduating college. Mark was very squared away, always dotting his I’s and crossing his T’s! I shared an office with Mark. If we weren’t discussing lesson plans, we were usually talking about his family (he beamed ear to ear talking about his wife and four kids) or hockey (and I don’t even like hockey but I knew Mark did)! Mark made a lasting impact on me and I wanted his family to know that.
I had the honor of being Marks assistant coach on several teams over the years here in Forest Lake. Two of our boys were the same age and we got to spend many hours together with our boys and their teammates on the rink, I can’t even count up the hours but, any hockey people know the time and commitment and we coached together at all levels from mites to bantams. Mark was always willing to step up and take the head coaching job, and I will forever cherish all our time together, both on and off the ice, as my wife and I cherished the few times we got to hang out with Mark and Krista this past year! Mark was truly a humble and all around great person, I loved him, and will miss him, and his faith was strong, and I know he is at peace in heaven looking over his wife, kids and all of us. To Mark, farewell for now, and until we meet again I will always try to be where the puck is going!
Your Friend – Dave “the other Wally” Wohlberg
The loss of a father/husband is an unfathomable pain. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you as much peace as possible during this time.
Our prayers are with you.. Marks life was worth truly celebrating. We hope you find peace in the fun you shared together and how much he loved you all
My name is Mats Nilsson and I belong to one of the Wallinga family ancestry branches in Sweden. I never met Mark but I have met Eunice, Steve with family, Frances, Tom and Patti. From what I can read on the obituary site, Mark was a much loved and respected father, husband, friend and colleague. This is consistent with what I know about the Wallinga family, good people. Good people that make the world a better place. He will be missed.
The short time from diagnose to the end is a reminder to all of us that we should take better care of our time and also help others, just like Mark did.
I will light a candle at the cemetary memorial site here in Varberg, Sweden, in the memory of Mark Wallinga.
I had Mark in some of my classes in high school. He was always very nice and kind to me. That’s the kind of person he was. Surprisingly we ended up living in the same community and our kids went to the same high school. It was always a pleasure to run into Mark at the gym and stores in Forest Lake. We would catch up on our busy schedules and ask how everyone is doing and how are kids are doing as recently as last December. I was fortunate enough to run into him one last time two weeks before Christmas. We had a nice visit catching up once again about our families and life in general. I will miss not running into Mark. He will be missed by many people including me. A very genuine kind hearted person. My deepest condolences to his family.
Randa and Gordon Morgan
He always call Depoint
Mark being my childhood buddy, was of course invited to my 10th Birthday party!
Mark was the best Coach our son Gus Johnson ever had. He was patient and kind and always brought out the best in every player on his Teams. There wasn’t anyone more positive to be around. We will never forget the great times we shared with Mark, Krista and his family.