Obituary of Darwin Gene Wandersee

Darwin Gene Wandersee, age 78, passed away July 28, 2023 at Westland House of the Community Hospital of the Monterey, CA Peninsula. Darwin was born May 9, 1945 to Benjamin and Edna Matson (Fischer) Wandersee in Mankato, MN. He enlisted in the US Army as a teenager, with parental consent. His Dad had received ‘many’ calls from the Recruiter’s Office when he was 14, 15 and 16 to come pick him up.. His oldest brother was in the Army and he wanted to be too.

Upon his Honorable Discharge, and having served in Germany for three years, he returned to Mankato and he and Sandra Discher were married. He was employed with the Dept. of Law Enforcement and also, was an Office Employee at the Hubbard Milling Company for several years.

In 1975, he and his family moved to Seaside, CA; where he enlisted in the US Coast Guard; serving two separate terms of service via Active Duty and Ready Reserves and served during Desert Storm. While serving his second term; while in the Ready Reserves, he married his second wife, Maryanne Vanloh. They enjoyed traveling and especially many trips to MN every year for Family Reunions. Up until his retirement, Darwin also held several, company, managerial positions.

Besides his loving family, he enjoyed movies, playing cards and especially bowling, and served as a League Officer for many years. And, enjoyed lunches at Applebee’s and Denny’s… He was lighthearted, witty, a gentleman and, a Proud Veteran 20+ yrs.

Darwin is survived by his Daughter, Neva Wandersee, Antioch, CA; Son, Darren (Denise) Wandersee, Farmington, MN; Son, Glen Wandersee, Daly City, CA; Grandsons, Valente and Edric, Daly City, CA and, Dear Friend and Companian Eileen Fox, Monterey, CA. Sisters: Winona Zimmerman, Mankato, MN; Cheryl (Jerry) Malz, Mankato, MN; Joleen (Dan) Butterfield, Kasota, MN; Brother, Norman (Sherry) Wandersee, Mankato, MN. Sister-in-law, Karen Matson, Ennis, MT, and extended family.

Preceded in death by Parents, Benjamin and Edna; Wife, Maryann Vanloh Wandersee. Brothers: Eugene Wandersee and James Matson. Sisters-in-law: Judy Wandersee and Kathy Wandersee. Brother-in-law, Philip Zimmerman. Nephews: Christopher, Ben, and John.
Burial with Military Honors was held, September 5, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Central Coast Veteran’s Cemetery, Seaside, CA.
To share a memory or condolence, please visit, www.healeymortuary.com