Wahlin was born in Lund Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, USA, on 26 November 1904, the eight child born to parents Nils Johnson (1859–1915) and Nellie Erickson (1867–1920). She was of Norwegian descent. She grew up in a seven-bedroom house that her father built in 1898, approximately two miles from Evansville. She was baptized and confirmed by Rev. T.A. Sattre at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She attended Rural School District #35 in Lund Township and then proceeded to continue her high school education in Bemidji. After completing her schooling, she worked at a beauty shop in Minneapolis.

On 26 August 1926, she married David Francis Wahlin (1902–1998) at her parents’ home. The couple went on to have two daughters: Shirley Hart (1927–2021) and DeeLores Wahlin. Following their marriage, they lived in Minneapolis, farmed near Evansville, and then embarked on a five-year journey while her husband worked with an oil company pipeline. Upon their return to Evansville, they owned and operated Wahlin’s Grocery for several years before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, where the couple managed apartment buildings. After 11 years, they retired to Evansville, where she worked as a receptionist first for Gearhart Funeral Home and then for Bruce and Rudi Nilson at Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, participating in the Ladies Aid, Youth Group, and teaching Sunday School.

Around 2007, she moved into a nursing home. At the age of 107, despite experiencing hearing and vision problems in one eye, she remained a spry and active woman with a sharp memory. She continued to devote much of her time to crocheting.

Wahlin passed away in Evansville, Douglas County, Minnesota, USA, on 18 June 2015, at the age of 110 years, 204 days. She was survived by her two daughters, three granddaughters, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.