Obituary of Galen B. Whiley

Galen B. Whiley, of St. Louis Park, MN, passed away November 29, 2015 at age 71. Born March 30, 1944 to Donald and Belva Whiley and grew up on the family farm west of Griswold. He graduated from GHS in 1962 and married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Pendgraft, in 1964. He moved to Lincoln in 1963, where he began his banking career in data processing. He was a member of the Lincoln Jaycees and chaired a few projects there. Lured by First Computer Corporation, he moved to St. Paul in 1969. Galen was a self-taught computer analyst and worked as a computer consultant for companies like General Mills, Con Agra, United Health, Cargill, etc. He was an active member of ASM and was a Certified Systems Professional. He retired after 27 years with the Federal Reserve Bank, doing computer trouble-shooting in various positions. Galen served in the Nebraska and Minnesota Air National Guard for 7 years with rank of SSG and was a proud member of the American Legion. Galen and Carolyn moved into their current St. Louis Park home in 1971 and he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1972. The two of them, along with another couple, started the first MS Patient Support Group, which was later used as the model program by the National MS Society. Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed April of 2015. They enjoyed traveling the U.S. and spent weekends for 25+ years selling at antique/collectible shows. Galen especially enjoyed meeting people and making new friends throughout those years. He also enjoyed helping his brother with harvest for about 10 seasons. Member of Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Belva Whiley. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carolyn; brother & sister-in-law, Larry & Shirley Whiley of Griswold; brother-in-law, Doug Pendgraft of Okoboji; nephew, Terry (Kim) Whiley and nieces, Elaine (Jake) Pelzer and Sherry (Bob) Smiley. Per Galen’s wishes, services will be held in Iowa at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Society/Minnesota, 200 12th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415.