Owen C. Wallace, 89, Fessenden, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey. His funeral will be held Friday, June 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Fessenden with burial on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Helena Catholic Cemetery in Ellendale. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 10, from 2:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden.

Owen Clayton Wallace, son of James and Mary (Waite) Wallace was born April 9, 1928 in Aberdeen, SD. He grew up in Guelph, ND where he attended school through the 8th grade. He then attended Valley City High School, graduating in 1946. Following high school, Owen enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War.

On January 20, 1951 he was united in marriage to Gladys Pfingsten in Aberdeen, SD. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the army, Owen enrolled at Valley City Teachers College where he graduated in 1954 with a degree in Education. Later that year Owen and Gladys moved to Kensal where he accepted a teaching position and also coached basketball and baseball. He then taught, coached and eventually served as principal in Kulm from 1956 to 1965 and then served as principal in Mott from 1965 to 1966. During this time, he enrolled in classes at NDSU and received his Master's Degree in Education. In the fall of 1966 he returned to Kulm and served as their Superintendent until 1968 when he moved with his family to Fessenden where he became Superintendent of Fessenden Public School, a position he held until his retirement in 1987. In addition to teaching, coaching and serving as administrator, Owen also served in the National Guard for over 20 years.

Through the years, Owen loved being involved in baseball as a player, an umpire and as a spectator. He was a member of the North Dakota Baseball Hall of Fame. He was also a member and past commander of the Frank Proisl American Legion Post #33 of Fessenden and a life member of the VFW Post #2764 of Valley City.

He is survived by his 4 daughters, Mary (Jim) Breyer of Chandler, AZ, Lee Ann (Kelly) Krahler of Fessenden, Sharon (Joe) Burgard of Fessenden and Lori (Steven) Foss of Basehor, Kansas; 9 grandchildren, Beth Trabue, Brooke Anderson, Jamie Breyer, Alison Egeberg, Kory Foss, Amanda Allmaras, Teri Gaub, Danielle Krahler and Bryan Krahler and 11 great-grandchildren, Taryn Allmaras, Holly Trabue, Madilynn Trabue, Evelyn Foss, Owen Trabue, Sawyer Foss, Derek Breyer, Payton Allmaras, Ella Egeberg, Charley Allmaras and Ryleigh Allmaras.

Owen was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys, who passed away April 12, 2004; his parents; his grandson, Jeremy Foss; his sister, Marilyn and his brother, James.