Alan Edward Wilwand passed away March 11, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 93 years. He was born June 17, 1931 in St Vincent, Minnesota.
Alan spent the first 20 years of his life in Pembina, North Dakota. While serving in the USAF, he met and married, his wife of 71 years, Grace Marie Dunn of Harrison, Nebraska. They moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota where he got his BA from the University of North Dakota. They moved to Porterville, California in 1957 and then to Fremont, California where he was a High School Social Studies and Science Department Chairman, swimming and basketball coach. He received his Masters of Education Administration in 1961. In 1976, they moved back to Sioux County, Nebraska near Grace’s childhood home. They were educators and ranchers. After retirement, Alan created the Nature Center for Fort Robinson State Park, where he worked in the summers.
He was a watercolor, sketch, and bronze artist and participated in many local art shows. He and Grace enjoyed running and went to many 5K and 10K runs around the country including the Senior Olympics in New York.
Alan, “Papa Alan” to his grandkids, was a lifelong student and teacher of the beauty and science of the natural world. He studied and collected artifacts, heritage and stories of the Native American Indians.
He was a jazz pianist with a distinct, emotion-filled style. When his children think of him, they remember his renditions of Moonglow, How High the Moon, Autumn Leaves, and My Funny Valentine.
He enjoyed introducing people to the beautiful Pine Ridge area around their home.
Alan is survived by his wife, Grace; sons Dan and Mark (Lynn); daughters Julie Broyle and Jennifer Johnson (John); and son Garth (Shannon); grandchildren Forest Arata (Rich), Reanna Broyle, Shane (Sopheak) and Robb (Josh) Wilwand, Jeff and Jack Johnson; great-grandchildren Ruby, Isabella, Riley, Sophie, Porter; brothers Michael (Rhonda) and Cameron (Kris) Wilwand; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
The family will have a gathering in Harrison, Nebraska sometime this summer. Memorials to Festival of Hope – Scottsbluff, Nebraska.