Mildred Frances Walker

Mildred Frances Walker, "Millie" to her friends, was a nearly lifelong resident of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. She was born in Bowen, Illinois to James and Ollie Morris on March 19, 1913. She was her Papa's “little helper” on the farm, following him everywhere, helping him do chores and pitch down hay from the hayloft for the horses. She carried jugs of water out to the fields for her Papa. She rode to school on old Pete, the horse, or sometimes in the buggy pulled by the horse. She was always teased for being so short, being called “shorty” or “blackie” for her jet black hair. Her mother raised chickens and sold the eggs. On Sundays after church, they would have fried chicken and her uncles would come over and bring their various musical instruments and all would play music while the girls tried to learn to dance the jig. When her Papa died of pneumonia, the family moved to Washington state where Millie graduated from Everett High School. She met her husband to be, Dale Walker, at a youth group picnic in Everett. They were running through the trees to the beach when she turned her ankle and fell. He picked her up and always said she fell for him. They were married at her mother’s home in Everett on March 1, 1933. They set up housekeeping in Everett where Dale was studying to be an accountant. He worked for Puget Power, was transferred to Wenatchee, then Ellensburg where their only daughter, Janet, was born, then to Seattle, and eventually became supervisor of accounting for Chelan County PUD in Wenatchee. Mildred and Dale and Janet were members of Cornerstone Christian Church in Wenatchee for many years, Millie and Dale both singing in the choir, Dale singing in a men's quartette, serving as a deacon and treasurer for the church, Millie serving as a deaconess, and both wherever needed. She was an avid gardener and was a member of the Garden Club. She also was on the rehab guild at Central Washington Hospital and helped raise money for rehab equipment by running a gift shop in the hospital. They met lots of wonderful people who remained good friends all of their lives. Millie managed to outlive most of them, living to be 102. Dale had died when he was 77, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary. Mildred is survived by her daughter, Janet Koether, son-in-law Bill Koether, granddaughters Kathryn Jacobs and Kristine Sixel, great-granddaughters Angela Jacobs, Krista Leonard, Kimberly Eggleston, and Delice Green, great-great granddaughters Quinn Leonard and Harper Leonard, and great-great grandson Jayson Eggleston. Mildred died on October 30, 2015 at Avalon Adult Family Home in East Wenatchee in the loving care of Hospice. The family wishes to thank her caregivers at Avalon, especially Felina who was with her when she died, and to her doctor, Karl Lambert. Also many thanks to the tender care of Hospice nurses Teri and Valerie and other Hospice staff who blessed our family in so many ways. Her funeral will be held at Jones & Jones Betts Funeral Home in Wenatchee on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. There will be no graveside service, but she will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery in East Wenatchee alongside her husband. Friend may visit Jones & Jones –Betts Funeral Home on Friday November 6, 2015 from 4:00 P.M to 6:00 P.M. Please express your thoughts and memories and the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

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Mildred Frances Walker

March 19, 1913 - October 30, 2015