Marion L. Walker, age 83 of Villard, died Thursday, Feb. 18, at Prairie Senior Cottage in Alexandria. Funeral services will at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, at Villard United Methodist Church, with Rev. Alexander Victor Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home in Glenwood and will resume on Friday at the church, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Lake Leven Cemetery. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.
Marion Lois Walther was born on Feb. 15, 1933, to John and Sophie (Wolf) Walther in Westport. She attended elementary school in Westport and graduated from Villard High School. On April 6, 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles Walker, at the Methodist Church in Villard. The two resided on the Walker family farm in their own little cottage until they built their home in the city of Villard, where they lived for the next 56 years. Marion and Charles were blessed with four children, Joe, Carol, Larry, and Allan and they shared 61 years of marriage before Charles’ death on Dec. 29, 2013.
Marion worked at Fingerhut before attending Beauty School in Fergus Falls. After completing the program she opened her own beauty shop in the family home in Villard, which she operated for 25 years. She also sold Avon and Watkins products out of her shop. Marion finished her work career doing hair and working as a CNA at Glenwood Retirement Village. She was no stranger to work; at the age of 65 she still had four part-time jobs. She enjoyed her work and the people it allowed her to meet along the way.
Marion was a longtime member of Villard United Methodist Church, where she belonged to the Naomi Circle. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Villard, as well as various clubs, including a birthday club, an art club and a coffee club, which included some very special lady friends from Villard. She enjoyed embroidering and gifted many family members and friends with sets of hand-embroidered towels. She was a wonderful cook, baker and canner of pickles. These attributes helped make her a gracious hostess, both at her home in Villard and at the family lake place on Lake Leven. Marion’s door was always open and she had a warm meal for visitors.
Marion is survived by her son, Joe (Deb) Walker of Villard, her daughter, Carol (Mike) Denny of Sauk Centre; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Verna (Loren) Kaeding of Willow River, and Rose Campau of Crestview, Fla.; a brother, Ray (Diane) Walther of Alexandria; a brother-in-law, Donald Robideaux; two sisters-in-law, Bea Walker and Sue Walker; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles (2013); two sons, Larry (1978) and Allan (1982); a sister, Evelyn Robideaux (2015); brothers-in-law, Joe Campau, Leonard Walker, Junior and Marilyn Walker, and Tom Walker.