John Walker

John Walker, 94, Bismarck, died March 6, 2010. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at Bismarck Baptist Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Merle Hoots officiating. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour to the service at the church. John was born May 14, 1915, on his parent’s farm, in Kidder County. He was the second of fifteen children born to John and Magdalena Bickel Walker. In 1917, at the age of two, the family moved to a farm 14 miles west of Selfridge, ND. John attended country school the Lincoln school district and in Selfridge. John enjoyed all of the normal things that a child of that era did growing up in rural North Dakota, swam in the nearby lake, went sleigh riding, played softball and attended church activities. As a young man, he also taught himself to play the accordion and violin. In 1937, at the age of 22, John went to California to seek employment and was hired along with his older brother, Adam, to work for an agriculture farm located on an island near Stockton, CA. On that farm, they raised spearmint and peppermint used for flavorings and oils. While visiting at the home of friends in CA, John met up with his childhood sweetheart, Elsie Hepper. They were married by a Baptist Minister on January 28, 1940, in Lodi, CA. After their marriage, they remained in CA for a short period of time, until they received word from John’s father that there were a number of farms for sale in ND. John had saved enough money to move back to ND. John then purchased the John Frank farm located seven miles SW of Selfridge, ND. The farm was in poor shape, but with a lot of hard work, long days, and much energy, they were able to build one of the nicest farms in the area. In 1957, the John Walker farm was awarded the Sioux County Soil Conservation Award. By that time, the family had grown to seven members that included, James, Delores, Florence, Lenore and Gary. John and Elsie were charter members of the First Baptist Church in Selfridge, where John served on the church council and Elsie was the pianist for many years. He also took an active part in many community events and served on a number of boards throughout the area. In 1958, the farm was sold and the family moved to a home on 17th street in Bismarck. John and Elsie continued to farm in the Selfridge area and would commute between their home in Bismarck and the farm in Selfridge from early spring through late fall. In 1980, the farm land was turned over to their oldest son, Jim. They continued to commute between their two homes throughout the summers to assist Jim and his family in the farming operation until 1990, when John retired from farming. John and Elsie’s years spent in Bismarck found them involved with their church, volunteer work at the Senior Center and local hospitals. Throughout their retirement years, John and Elsie traveled around the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, including the Holy Land, which was the highlight of their travels. They also spent a number of years wintering in Mesa, AZ. John and Elsie moved to the Waterford at 1000 Century Avenue in 2005. John is survived by his wife, Elsie, Bismarck; his son, Gary Rosie Walker and their family, Bismarck; his three daughters, Delores Hummel and her family, Fargo, Florence Walker and her family, CA, and Lenore James Hopfauf and their family, Bismarck; one daughter-in-law, Judith Walker and her family, Bismarck; 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by five brothers, Albert Jean Walker, AZ, Sam Betty Walker, AZ, Herman Gladys Walker, SD, Lawrence Darlene Walker, MT, and Arthur Walker, Bismarck; and one sister-in-law, Ruby Walker, WY. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, James and Clayton; one son-in-law, Myron Hummel; six sisters; and three brothers.

John Walker

May 14, 1915 - March 6, 2010