Ruth M. Walker 1928-2007

SALISBERRY, MCALLISTER, WESSELS, WALKER, TEMPLE, SMITH, STOCKWELL, STREMPKE

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 12/28/2007 at 11:33:10

Ruth Marie (Salisberry) Walker died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 at the Regional Medical Center, Manchester, after a short illness. Her warm presence, loving touch, embracing hospitality and many kindnesses to family and friends will be cherished. She will be greatly missed.

Ruth was born Jan. 11, 1928 at the family farm home in Scott Township, Fayette County near Arlington. She was the daughter of Charles and Olive (McAllister-Wessels) Salisberry. She attended Putnam Twp #5 school for eight years and high schools at Aurora and Arlington, graduating in 1945. She attended Coe College, Cedar Rapids. On Sept. 8, 1949, she married Robert N. Walker. She worked at Oelwein State Bank for almost 52 years, with over 40 years as manager of the Aurora Branch, retiring in 2002.

Ruth was a modest woman whose pure life embodied great ethics and compassion. Ruth dedicated her life to her family and to voluntary community service in Fayette and Buchanan counties. She and her husband had no children of their own but many nieces and nephews who were always welcome at their farm home, where Ruth was born, and which some regard as a second home.

She will be deeply missed by her beloved husband of 58 years, Bob. In addition, she leaves to mourn her two brothers, Ralph (Ingrid) Salisbury of Eugene, Ore. and Rex (Carol) Salisberry of Navarre, Fla.; four sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Walker of Mayfield, Minn., Florence Temple of Irving, Texas, Loretta Smith of Oelwein, and Shirley Stockwell of Indianapolis; three brothers-in-law, Russell Walker of Buffalo, Wyo., James (Elaine) Walker of Oelwein and Dean Strempke of West Union; and many, many nephews and nieces. In death she has joined her parents and brothers, Robert Wessels and Ray and Leland Salisberry.

Private services are planned. Details for a “Celebration of Ruth’s Life” for all of Ruth’s family and friends and internment will be announced in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances are being handled at Hintz-Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Please visit and share memories or stories of Ruth at http://ruthwalker.legacy.com

Oelwein Daily Register, December 20, 2007