Walter J. "Wally" Karnish, 71

Walter J. "Wally" Karnish was born at St. Joseph Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, on July 15, 1951, the second child and only son of Walt and Anne Karnish. He was welcomed by older sister, Rosemary, who, frankly, asked her parents to “send him back”. Now she wouldn’t trade him for the world. Home for the family was with maternal Grandma and Grandpa Skarzinski at the farmhouse on South 30th Street.

Wally began his schooling at Corrigan School, then on to Sts. Peter and Paul through 8th grade and to Omaha South High, where he was on the wrestling and swim team before his interests took him to Auto Body Shop with his favorite teacher, Mr. Pistone. That decision led to his lifetime love of cars. His fondest memories of those early years are working alongside his Dad, and hanging out at Unc’s with Jack Pohl.

As part of the Boy Scout Explorer Group Ahamo Society of Indian Dancers, his troop studied Native American lore, created their own costumes and performed Indian dances. His specialty was the Snake Dance (yes, with live snakes).
In 1967, Wally and some friends formed a band called The Mophia, recording a record and competing in the Boss Band Battle at the Civic. One Saturday, while at Hospe’s Music in Downtown Omaha, a fellow band member introduced Wally to her friend, Pat Kisicki. Wally and Pat were 15 at the time, both attending South High. They dated all through high school, married in 1971 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and were “Happy Together” “Cherish”-ing each other for over 51 years.
Wally proudly served his country in the Army National Guard, with basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While serving, he became a trained cook, often requested for the officers’ mess (so, if you’ve ever been to a family function, you now know why, when he cooked, he cooked for an army).

Wally always found himself involved in unusual and unique opportunities. He was part of building the Grease Lightning ‘57 Chevy for the musical “Grease” performed at the Orpheum Theatre. In his years as an actor at Mystery Manor, he built and painted the iconic Mystery Manor hearse that sat out front, and he could be seen playing his character “Boogers” where he would scare patrons up and down the block while shooting snot, aka silly string, at them. Another hearse he built was used in the opening scene in the movie Indian Runner. He even rescued the Shriners Circus by doing an emergency welding job so the show could go on.

Wally’s interests were many and his family precious to him. Spending time with his sons – doing FX make-up at their elementary school for the annual Halloween parades, youth group, tractor pulls, car shows and parades, a little illegal drag racing, Wally loved every moment. Known as the Clark Griswold of Harrison Street, he taught his sons the fine art of holiday decorating, landing him the honor of front-page coverage in the Omaha World Herald. He was the best baked bean, sweet potato, cheese popcorn, cotton candy, French fry, hash brown maker… actually, he never met a food he couldn’t master. He loved movies, model cars, Husker volleyball, and animals. His beloved Cookie and Annie, his first and last boxers some 50 years apart, are undoubtedly playing fetch with him “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

Preceded in death by parents Walt and Anne Karnish. Survived by loving wife Pat; sons Dan (Kristie), Tim (Dawn), and Mike (Shawna); grandchildren Deven, Caden, Jordan, Abigail, Lily (Jaxon), Julianna (Gabe), John, Coby (Victoria), Robert (Kalyn), Nathan and Madison; great grandchildren Hazel and RJ, sister Rosemary (Kenny), sisters and brothers-in law Barb (Jerry), Mary, Donald (Pat), Mike (Carol); “sons” Pat Cahalane and AJ Barber; godchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.

Please honor Wally by wearing casual attire.

To view a live broadcast of the service, click on the "Stream Funeral Service" option.


Following Monday’s service at the funeral home, a luncheon and sharing of stories will be held at the DAV – Disabled American Veterans Social Hall, 4515 F Street, Omaha.