Delores Mary Wallander

Delores Mary Peltier Wallander (“Dee”) of Naples, FL, passed peacefully at Naples Community Hospital on March 14, 2024.  Born to Arthur Louis and Clara Mary Peltier on June 2, 1930, she was the youngest child of 7, with 3 brothers and 3 sisters.  She grew up in Northeast Minneapolis where she learned the game of golf from her siblings at Columbia and Gross Golf courses and later volunteered at LPGA and PGA events. Dee won numerous trophies for her golf skills and was also instrumental in starting women’s high school amateur golf in Minneapolis.

Dee was an independent soul, which led her down interesting paths.  She graduated from St. Catherine University, Phi Beta Kappa, and worked as a medical technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  She was always curious and amazed by the changes and advancements in the med-tech world.  Dee’s life changed dramatically in June,1953 when she answered a knock at her family’s home front door to find a handsome insurance salesman – Chuck Wallander - who had an appointment with her mother.  Being the consummate salesman, Chuck procured a date with Dee before he closed the sale with Mrs. Peltier that afternoon!  Married four months later, Dee and Chuck had and raised 7 children living in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh.  As the children grew, Dee introduced them to golf as she organized the Junior Golf Programs at both the North Shore Country Club in Milwaukee and the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel PA.  While living in Pittsburgh, Dee sang in the St. Scholastica church choir and was an integral member of the Pittsburgh Garden Club.

Upon Chuck’s retirement in 1982, Dee and Chuck moved to Marco Island, FL where for 25 years they enjoyed regular visits from their 7 children and, over time, from their 26 grandchildren.  They spent twelve years in Dallas, TX before returning to Naples in 2018.  Over her life, Dee became a handiwork whiz.  She crocheted her daughter Cherry’s wedding dress, knitted her daughter-in-law Mary Jo’s wedding dress, and in her later years, crocheted many beautiful things, especially baby blankets.  She was thrilled that some of her grands learned to crochet and was so proud that her great grandson learned from her when he turned seven.  Dee’s niece, Jeanne Peltier, introduced the humorous notion that in retirement Dee earned her “Phi Beta Crafta” key! 

Dee is survived by her 7 children Charles F. Wallander, III (Marcia), Cherry Wallander Smith, Edward W. Wallander (Mary Jo), William L. Wallander (Angie), James J. Wallander (Barbara), Nancy W. Schreiber (Howard) and Bennett T.  Wallander (Barbara), as well as 26 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Dee was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles Frederick Wallander, Jr., Mark S. Smith, and Laura Lyons Wallander.  In her final days Dee beamed brightly as she spoke of her joyful life and her love for family and friends.  Like Chuck, she was never happier than when surrounded by family.  A celebration of life and interment for Chuck and Dee will be held later this year in Centerville, Minnesota.