- Date Of Birth: July 22, 1928
- Date Of Death: March 20, 2016
- State: Minnesota
John F. “Jack” Walker , 87, of Warren MN passed away Palm Sunday, March 20,2016 at Woodside Village, Grand Forks ND, surrounded by his loving family.
John Francis Walker was born July 22, 1928, in Stephen, MN to John R. and Marjorie (Whalen) Walker. He was raised and educated in Stephen.
In August of 1950, Jack enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington where he studied engineering and was a heavy equipment operator. Jack was honorably discharged in May, 1952. He went back to Stephen and worked for Roy Benson Construction.
On November 12, 1955, Jack was united in marriage to Marguerita “Rita” Dennison at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad, MN, where they made their home for 7 years.
To this union four children were born: John, Lisa, Lana, and Jana. Jack and Rita celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary November 12, 2015, with their family.
In October 1962, Jack began his job in Warren with the Minnesota Department of Transportation as a “top-notch” road grader. He worked for the state for 30 years until his retirement in 1992. For 40 years, Jack worked part-time at the Howard Farms in Warren, MN.
Jack is survived by his wife, Rita; children, John (Jean) Walker, Warren, Lisa Walker (George Hilgermann), Richfield, MN, Lana (Alan) Maruska and Jana (Dean) Maruska, both of Warren; grandchildren, Michael (Heather) Blumberg, Carter and Patrick Maruska, and Sophia Maruska; great-granddaughter Arietta and her baby brother on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Odegard of Rochester, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and John Robertson Walker; and great-grandson, Mason Blumberg.
Jack enjoyed reading history books and looking through county township plat books and Warren High School Annuals. He also enjoyed tooling around town with his number one dog, Molly, and stopping at the local cafe to chat with coffee buddies. He was easy to talk to and had a great sense of humor with quick wit. He also enjoyed tinkering in his garage, mowing, and snow blowing not only his home but several of his neighbors’.
Jack was a member of the Warren American Legion Post #27 for 51 years and a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Warren MN for 54 years.
Jack loved his family unconditionally. He was wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Blessed be his memory.
