Linnis E Wallace

Linnis Eldon Wallace, the youngest son of Lawrence and Winnie Wallace, was born in Springfield, Colorado, in the Nevada cabin at the All-States motel, on March 11, 1944. He passed away at the Southeast Colorado Hospital, on September 7, 2017, at the age of 73.    He grew up 12 miles south-east of Springfield on the family farm and he attended the Crescent School for 8 years. He reminded us, from time to time, that he had to walk a ¼ of a mile to school everyday---up hill both ways and even in the snow at times. Donis tells us that when they were little, they were paid a quarter each to go to school early to sweep the floor and clean the black board and erasers.  Linnis was also suppose to carry in the coal and she was to light the fire. Well, she found out that there was another boy that came to school early too and that Linnis was paying him a nickel to carry in the coal and he kept the extra for himself. Needless to say, when mom and dad found out, he was back to doing his full duties.   Linnis attended high school at Springfield and graduated in 1962. He married Violet Eden of Campo on August 5, 1962. To this union, 3 children were born, Sherrie, Carrie and Dwayne.   In 1971 they purchased the family farm from his parents where they worked long hours at farming and ranching and keeping the place well groomed. Unfortunately in 1988 they had to sell the place that they had worked so hard for. The one thing the kids remember is how picky their dad was about taking care of things. If he finished with a tractor or any other machine, he cleaned it out, washed it and sometimes waxed them before putting them away. That way they were ready to go for the next time he needed them. He also would pull out his hankie, often to dust off anything that might have a hint of dust on it or he would get down on the floor to pick up a small piece of lint off the carpet. We would have to say that probably anyone that knew him, at all, knew that if anything was out of place, he wasn’t going to be happy until it was where HE thought it should be.   In 1988, after 26 years of marriage, he and Violet divorced. He then traveled around and worked several places, before coming back to Baca County and finally settling down in Springfield. Linnis struggled with things that made his life hard at times but in 2001 he made the decision to become a Christian and was baptized at the Springfield Church of Christ, where he attended church.   Linnis was known to be a very hard worker and he struggled when, at the age of 53, his health forced him to quit working and he had to retire. After several surgeries and many health set backs, he entered the Springfield Long Term Care Center, in 2014, where he lived until his death. We all knew that he was in horrible pain for many years but he never complained.   Linnis is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Winnie {White} Wallace, 11 siblings, Dorothy, Lester, Alvin, Lucille, Ruby Belle, Bessie, Virginia, Oran, Olen, and Annetta Jane {Toots}. He is survived by his children, Daughter Sherrie and Allen Ownbey of Campo, daughter Carrie Blake of Grand Junction and Son Dwayne and Michelle Wallace of Wiley. His  grandchildren, Shelby, Alyse, Curtis Paige, Kody, Ty and Danielle. Great  grand kids, BriLynn, Bentley, Tayten, Jase and Holden. He is also survived by his sister Donis Steinbrueck of Springfield, sister-in-law Reta Wallace of Maricopa, Az. Guylene {Sonny} Keithley of Springfield and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.   His family would like to thank those who took such wonderful care of him while he was at home and after he entered the LTC. He was truly blessed by each of you. We would also like to thank those who came to visit him often, he may not have said it, but it meant a lot to him and we really appreciate your love and support. The family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to be given to the SECHD Long Term Care Center directly by mailing it to 373 E. 10th Ave. Springfield, CO 81073 or by way of the funeral home.