Kathleen M. Walker of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on May 26, 2024 at the age of 95.
She was born on June 15, 1928 in Henry, Neb. the sixth of eight children born to William and Elizabeth Decker.
Kathleen grew up a Western Nebraska farm girl in the era of the Great Depression and World War II. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Neb. in the class of 1945. She then attended Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, Minn.
Kathleen married Harry D. Walker on Aug. 20, 1950. The couple traveled extensively as Harry was an employee of the Department of the Army and was transferred often.
The couple moved to Hermiston in 1973 and bought their first and only home the couple ever owned on Ridgeway Avenue. Kathleen loved having her own home and worked tirelessly to make the yard and garden a thing of beauty. If you knew Kathleen, you knew that she loved roses. Her rose garden at the corner of Sixth and Ridgeway was well known in Hermiston for many years. Many a child graced a teacher at Rocky Heights Elementary with a flower due to Mrs. Walker’s generous and giving nature. Many a child had an after-school chocolate chip cookie and maybe a flower for their mama as they walked home past Mrs. Walker’s house. Having to give up her home was one of the hardest decisions she ever made when it became too much for her to manage.
Kathleen was always an active member of a local church body, most recently Grace Baptist Church of Hermiston. Her love for Christ shown through in all of her endeavors, including many years bowling on a league and later bowling once a week with “the old people” as she called them. She was well into her 80s at that time. She still showed up for New Year’s Eve Monte Carlo bowling in her 90s.
Kathleen is survived by five children, Kathy (Doug) Edwards of Annville, Ky., Donald R. (Laura) Walker of Spring City, Utah, Harry “Bill” (Rainee) Walker of Texas and Colorado, Robert Walker of Umatilla, and Ginger (Richard) Linkel of Hermiston; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and sister, Eleanor Dean of Bridgeport, Neb. It’s impossible to put into words the impact Kathleen had on her family, not to mention the many extra children and grandchildren she took under her wing. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her!
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry on April 21, 1999; her parents; and six siblings.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Grace Baptist Church, 555 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
