Galan Wallman

Galan Wallman, 79, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

There will be a walk-through visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller. Mask and social distancing are required. Private funeral was held and burial followed G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.

Galan Lee was born May 11, 1941, to Leslie and Rosalie (Hofer) Wallman in Huron, South Dakota. He lived in the country near Huron until his family moved to Miller, SD, in 1947. He attended school in Miller where he participated in football, basketball, boxing, and wrestling, placing 2nd in the first ever South Dakota High School State Wrestling Tournament his senior year. In 2017, he was inducted into the Miller High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1956 undefeated football team. Galan graduated from Miller High School in 1959. His post-secondary education began at Freeman Junior College, Freeman, SD and was completed at South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. After graduating, he began a full-time ranching career south of Miller.

Galan married his wife of 49 years, Judy Sivertsen, July 25, 1971. To this union were born five children: Jason, Tera, Brock, Nathan, and Kristin. Galan especially enjoyed and took pride in his cattle production, becoming one of the first area producers to improve his herd’s genetics with the technique of artificial insemination.  Through the years he enjoyed the friendship of many fellow cattlemen across the nation. In 1977, after the birth of their first three children, Galan and Judy moved to south Hand County to Spring Lake Ranch where working as a family provided valuable life lessons for his children.    

Galan was an active member of the Miller Church of the Nazarene serving as a board member and church treasurer for many years. He enjoyed giving of his time to coach wrestling at Sunshine Bible Academy and served on SBA’s advisory council and school board. Galan and Judy were given recognition in 2007 with the Sunshine Hall of Fame award for their years of dedication and service to SBA. He also served on the Spring Lake Township Board.

Although Galan worked many long hours on the ranch, his greatest priority was his love for the Lord and passing God’s Truth on to his children. Galan trusted in the work of Jesus on the cross as the perfect payment for his sin and desired to live for his risen Savior. His gentle nature, kindness, and enduring patience were fruits of Christ living in him. Galan trusted the Lord’s provision and perfect timing in all areas of his life. As a young man, the Lord spared Galan’s life in a farm accident and faithfully carried out His plan for him until his last earthly day.

Those honored to have shared in his life are his children: Jason (Kim) Wallman and their children: Tanner, Brylee, and Brystal; Tera (Stefan) Busenitz and their children: Jadan, Allison, Corbin, Adrian, Thaniel, Annika, Mathis, Annaliese, Amelia, Anisia, Ariana, and Abriella; Brock (Tara) Wallman and their children Kailey and Bryson; Nathan Wallman; Kristin Wallman; and one brother Gary (Mary Jo) Wallman and their children Troy, Kirk, Cory, and Courtney and their families.

Galan was preceded in death by his father and mother Leslie and Rosalie Wallman and father-in-law and mother-in law DeWayne and Ruth Sivertsen.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Galan’s arrangements.