Shirley Evelyn (Wanttie) Walker was born to Albert and Hilda Wanttie on August 10, 1927, in her grandfather’s house on the family homestead in Savo township in South Dakota. Shirley grew up speaking Finnish, and even though her linguistic ability in English made her a formidable adversary in the game of Scrabble, she was always proud of her Finnish heritage and occasionally sang folk songs in Finnish for the amusement of her family.
When she graduated from high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for the “big store” and several other businesses in Frederick, South Dakota. She married her husband Allan Walker on June 19, 1947, in the Savo Lutheran Church near Frederick. They lived together in Sisseton, South Dakota; Bridgewater, South Dakota; Great Falls, Montana; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota before moving to Sun City, Arizona to enjoy their retirement.
Throughout her lifetime, Shirley traveled extensively. She was an avid golfer and an excellent and dedicated swimmer.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers Melvin and Duane Wanttie, her eldest son David Vaughan Walker, and her grandson Andy McClain. She is survived by her husband, her sister Lorraine Jenkins, her two daughters Karin McClain and Peg Meeks, her son Mark Walker, thirteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
She will be remembered fondly for many things. The quiet pride she took in her accomplishments, whether it be a hole-in-one or her cumulative swimming record at the Y. Her organizational skills, both in balancing the checkbook at the desk in the kitchen and in keeping a house full of guests tidy and ticking along. Many celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmases with loved ones, full of joy and love and excellent food. The cadence of her voice as she read books to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren or chanted Finnish rhymes to make babies laugh. Her excellent sense of fashion and absolutely amazing style all throughout her life. Long leisurely conversations over after-dinner coffee. And her ability to slow down and spend time with a person to see them and love them for who they are.
A graveside ceremony will be held, with a memorial service to be scheduled in the future. As a memorial, donations for the restoration of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in Savo can be sent to John Martinson, 10133 96th Ave SE, Oakes ND 58474. Please make checks out to “Pioneer Church”.
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