Obituaries : Mary M. Walker

VINTON - Mary Margaret Merchant Walker, 95, of Vinton, died peacefully Sunday, December 11, 2016, at the Vinton Lutheran Home following a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton with Fr. Ardel Barta as Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton. Mary was born May 23, 1921, in rural Garrison, Iowa, the daughter of James Edward and Nora M. Stritch Merchant. She graduated from Garrison High School in 1939. On May 31, 1945, Mary was united in marriage with Norman Ray Walker at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton. Mary was a devoted housewife, and she supported Norman as his job transferred him to Missouri, Ohio and Kentucky. After his retirement in 1977, the couple moved to Vinton. Norm preceded her in death on July 30, 2016. Mary was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton and was active in Altar and Rosary and the Legion of Mary. She enjoyed square dancing, baby-sitting and accompanying Norm on his Iowa Braille School bus routes. Her smile and twinkling eyes will be remembered by all who knew her. Mary is survived by many family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 8 brothers and 6 sisters. Memorials may be directed to the Vinton Lutheran Home, St. Mary Catholic Church or Hospice of Mercy. Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Mary and her family. Condolences may be left at Mary M. Walker .