James Walker

James E. Walker, 68, Bismarck, died July 8, 2009, at his home with his family with him. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday at Bismarck Baptist Church, 22nd and Laforest Avenue, Bismarck, with Chaplain Jeanine Kersey-Russell officiating. James was born on September 13, 1940, in Washburn, ND, the son of John J. and Elsie Hepper Walker. As an infant of six weeks, he moved with his parents to a farm southwest of Selfridge, ND, where he was raised and educated. On September 22, 1961, he married Judith J. Beglau, the daughter of Herbert G. and Rebecca Gums Beglau. Together, they made their home on a farm just south of Selfridge, where they raised their family. He was involved in many community events and served on several boards. He loved his farm and supported his community to make them both the best he could. In 1995, he retired from farming due to health reasons. He and Judy moved to Arizona, where they made their home for nine years. While in Arizona he volunteered at the Lutheran Thrift Store, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and looked forward to being there to watch it grow into a most rewarding local missionary cause for the church. In 2004, they moved back to Bismarck where they purchased a home and lived there until his death. James’s family came first, supporting his children and wife with their hopes and wishes. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He was most happy working on his farm where he felt close to God and nature. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Those that are grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Judy; his daughter, Theresa Walker and fiance, Larry Evans, and her two sons, Cody James Worley, and Colton Ray Walker Worley; his son, Todd and wife, Mary, and their two daughters, Charlee-Alta Ann Walker and Bailee Jean Walker; his parents, John and Elsie; his brother, Gary and wife, Rosie, and their family all of Bismarck, ND; his sister, Delores Hummel and her family of Fargo, ND; his sister, Florence Walker of California and her family, and his sister, Lenore and husband, James Hopfauf and their family of Bismarck, ND. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Rebecca Beglau of Bismarck, ND; his sister-in-law, Janet Frohlech of California; his sister-in-law, Diane and her husband, John Birkholz, and their family, of Bismarck, ND; and his sister-in-law, Linda and husband, Dennis Delzer, and their family, of Bismarck, ND. He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Clayton; his father-in-law, Herbert Beglau; his nephew, Brad Birkholz; and his two brothers-in-law, Dennis Beglau and Myron Hummel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the St. Alexius Hospice Association or the Germans from Russia Heritage Society, 1125 W Turnpike Avenue, Bismarck, ND, 58503.

James Walker

September 13, 1940 - July 8, 2009