Arlene M. Walker

Arlene M. Walker, 91 years and 360 days, died on Monday, April 27, 2020. She had made her home in Stewartville for the past 55 years, most recently living at Root River Estates and was an active, caring friend in the senior community there.

Arlene Mae Schmidt was born on May 2, 1928 in rural Spring Valley, MN to Elmer and Emma (Haag) Schmidt. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, and it was there that she married Clifford Lee Walker on September 24, 1950. She and Cliff lived in several southern Minnesota and northern Iowa towns in their early years before moving to Stewartville with their two children in the summer of 1966. In addition to homemaking, Arlene was employed by the Stewartville School district in the cafeteria at Central Elementary School for 20 years before retiring in 1987. She was there during the time when the cooks in the kitchen used “actual recipes with real ingredients”.

Arlene was all about family. She daily cared for her grandmother and her parents in their declining years and was involved in the lives and interests of her children and 6 grandchildren. Her daily prayers were often centered around the health and well-being of her family. Throughout her life, she was part of Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, and was a leader for 4-H. She was a longtime member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Stewartville, where she taught Sunday School, was president of the Ladies Aid, was active in the Church Circle meetings and served as treasurer of the Friendly Neighbors Club. She loved cooking and baking, embroidering, chatting with friends and family on the telephone, following the Twins and Vikings via television, traveling with Cliff and tending her houseplants, a garden for many years, and several kinds of roses. She and Cliff loved playing card games with each other, friends, family, and the card club, and were competitive enough to be a lot of fun.

Arlene leaves behind her son - David Walker and Sharon (Gisler) Walker of Buffalo, MN, and their family; Coreen (Walker) and Greg Nelson of Buffalo, MN,  Andrea (Walker) and Rick Michalak of Elk River, MN, Monica (Walker) and Matt Larson of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Nathan Walker and Christopher Wells of Atlanta, GA;  as well as her daughter - Sharon (Walker) and Keith Larson of Aurora, CO, and their family; Krystal (Larson) and Tim Welland of Denver, CO, and Nicole Larson of Aurora, CO. Great-grandchildren on her son’s side include Ella and Zane, Ryan, Meghan, and Gavin, Olivia, Noora, Johanna, Esther, and Boaz.  Great-grandchildren on her daughter’s side include Evan, Zoe, and Sophie Welland. Other family members include brothers Roy Schmidt of Grand Meadow, MN, and Kenneth (Kathy) Schmidt of Spring Valley. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford, her brother Donald, and her parents, Elmer and Emma Schmidt.

Arlene’s family warmly acknowledges so many other local family and friends who often visited her. They also would like to thank Seasons Hospice and the Stewartville Care Center for their devotion and care for Arlene and  to  Mayo Clinic Homebound Nurse Practitioner - Sara Jacobson for her love and support  – it was  so appreciated by Arlene and her family.

Due to public health concerns, no services are planned at this time. A celebration of Arlene’s life will happen later in the year at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville. The day and time will be announced prior to that celebration. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Arlene are welcome at www. griffin-gray.com

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