Walter "Wally" Loran

Walter “Wally” Loran passed away peacefully at home in Sun Lakes AZ on June 17, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on April 18, 1931, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Loran.

Wally grew up during the Great Depression on the south side of Dickinson ND, where most everyone was poor and scratching out a living. He grew up with a close-knit group of a dozen neighborhood kids who called themselves the “Southside Gang” - a friendship that lasted a lifetime.

At age 18, Wally and several of his Southside Gang enlisted in the US Navy and served during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1953, he spent time at Dickinson State College before beginning his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.

In 1956, he married his sweetheart, Mary Ann Kostelecky, and together they shared 69 beautiful years of marriage. In 1970, Wally accepted a company transfer and moved the family to Fargo ND, where he spent 20 years working in the Engineering Department.

Later in his career, he became active in the Telephone Pioneers Organization, serving as President of the Minnesota–North Dakota Chapter. While living in Fargo, Wally and Mary Ann purchased a lake home in Detroit Lakes MN, where they spent 46 summers enjoying lake life.

After retiring in 1990, they visited the Phoenix AZ area, and soon purchased their winter home in Sun Lakes AZ, where they spent their Winter months.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Cindy; and two brothers, Larry and Raymond.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann; son Rod (Nashell) Loran of Woodbury MN; daughter Mary Hovet of Eden Prairie MN; and daughter Connie (Greg) Presley of Austin TX. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren: Kerianne (Nate), Sydney (Kevin), Phoebe (T.C.), Lauren, Annie, and Coby; and great-grandfather to Piper and Evvie.