On Friday, July 19, at the age of 85 and surrounded by family, Harold G. (Harry) Wahlquist died peacefully after a tenacious 18-month fight against pancreatic cancer. Our faith in Jesus comforts us with the assurance that we will see him again in heaven.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Harry was the youngest of three children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Harold F. Wahlquist. A graduate of Washburn High School in Minneapolis,, Harry enrolled at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he soon met and then married the love of his life, Maryalice (Mabs) Borman after graduating in 1960. Together in Edina, Minnesota for more than 60 years, they parented their four children with love, devotion, Christian-based learning, and the importance of family in one’s life journey. As a family and as a couple, Harry and Mabs traveled extensively for both business and pleasure, spending summers at the lake in Annandale, and winter escapes in Palm Desert, California.
Vocationally, Harry was a tireless advocate for community banking. He spent the last 30-plus years growing the Star Bank organization he founded as The Bank That Cares™ which currently consists of 11 branches in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Prior to his successes with Star Bank, he spent the better part of 30 years as a correspondent banker with Minneapolis-based Northwestern National Bank. He loved the art of making a deal and serving his customers in ways that truly made a difference for their dreams to come true. When reflecting on Harry’s banking career, some describe him as having “legendary” status. He also served in voluntary leadership roles with BankIn Minnesota, the Bank Holding Company Association, and was active with the Independent Community Bankers of America.
As a youngster, Harry enjoyed many summer YMCA camp experiences, playing football and hockey, and having adventurous summertime fun at the lake. Hunting pheasants and waterfowl in the Delta Marsh, South Dakota, and Morris, Minnesota, and all of the accompanying camaraderie was a passion shared with many friends for most of his adult life, and especially son Andy for more than 40 years.
Occasional fishing trips up north, cheering on the Minnesota North Stars when they were in town, and being a devoted Minnesota Vikings season ticket holder were also considered time well spent with friends and family. As a parent and grandparent, he always made time to attend events and activities, and could be found in the bleachers or on the field cheering for his favorites (and yelling at the refs!), and frequently served as an assistant coach or in other roles in local youth sports and activities. His legacy of service for many years with the American Red Cross is continuing into the fourth generation of the Wahlquist family.
His presence and kind-hearted spirit will be forever missed, and he lives on through the lives he influenced and changed because of who he was.
Harry is survived by sons Kip Wahlquist (Deb); Charlie Wahlquist (Melanie); Andy Wahlquist (Kelly); and daughter Katie Wahlquist; grandchildren Jennifer Johnson (Joel); Kimberly Ward (Jesse); Benjamin Wahlquist (Jordie); Jonathan Wahlquist (Taite); Taylor Johnson (Brandon); Cydney Mayes (Emma); Annika Wahlquist; Alannah Wawracz (Eli); and Myles Wahlquist. He is also survived by sister Lois Husbands; brother-in-law Ted Borman (Pam); his eight (soon to be 10) great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends and esteemed business colleagues.
Harry was preceded in death by his loving wife Maryalice; parents Dr. Harold F. and Margaret Wahlquist; sister Marian Wahlquist Asp; brother-in-law Raymond Asp; and brother-in-law Joseph D. Husbands, Jr.
The entire Wahlquist family is indebted to son Charlie and daughter Katie for their devotion, support and advocacy for Harry’s battle against cancer, and to daughter-in-law Kelly and granddaughter Annika for providing Harry with much love, attention, and care during his last days and brief hospitalization.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, Grace Church Eden Prairie Chapel, 9301 Eden Prairie Road. Visitation is at 10 a.m. Enter door No. 2. A celebration luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the American Red Cross, 1201 W. River Parkway, Attn: Kelly Glass, Minneapolis, MN 55454 or redcross.org, or a charity of your choice.
Livestream the service at www.grace.church/harrywahlquist. Arrangements are by Washburn-McReavy, www.washburn-mcreavy.com.