What’s in your will? Wisconsin man surprises funeral attendees with $500,000 gift

Dennis Gene Valstad of Ripon, Wisconsin, passed away on July 13, 2019, but his kindness has lived on.

Unbeknownst to those attending his funeral, Mr. Valstad had included the following provision in his will:

"The sum of $500,000 to be divided equally to the individuals that attend my funeral. Attendance shall be determined by the names on the visitation book or where attendance can be documented by some form of reliable documentation."[1]

To their surprise, attendees of Mr. Valstad’s funeral began receiving letters weeks after the ceremony, informing them of the fact that they had been included among his beneficiaries.  The letters read, in part: “The decedent’s Last Will & Testament ... names you as a beneficiary due to your attendance at his visitation, funeral and/or burial[.]”[2]

According to one report, 267 people were identified as attendees, and each will be receiving approximately $1,870 – adults and children, alike.[3]  In his will, Mr. Valstad encouraged recipients who didn’t need the money to give it to charity, as Mr. Valsad had done with other assets.[4]   

What’s in your will?  

[1] https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/columnists/jim-stingl/2019/09/19/stingl-secret-his-will-you-come-my-funeral-you-get-money/2369288001/

[2] http://www.riponpress.com/Content/News/News/Article/-I-guess-he-wanted-to-reward-his-friends-Ripon-man-splits-500-000-with-funeral-attendees/2/20/14346

[3] See Footnote 1 (above).

[4] Id.