Shirley Louise (Johnson) Walker, age 76 of Willow City died on Sunday, March 2^nd, 2014 at the Trinity Medical Center in Minot, North Dakota after suffering a stroke the previous Thursday.

Shirley was born on February 15^th, 1938 to Lloyd and Margaret (Berg) Johnson in Bottineau, North Dakota.  She was raised on the family farm near Overly, North Dakota.  She attended grade school in Overly and then graduated from Willow City High School, the class of 1956.  She completed her education at Minot State Teacher’s College, earning her standard teaching certificate and license.  Following college, Shirley taught grade school at Sherman Public School near Mohall for one year, in the Rolette Public School for two years and also did substitute teaching in the Willow City School for a few years.

On June 17^th, 1961, she was united in marriage to Warren Walker at the Willow Creek Lutheran Church in Overly.  The couple made their home on a farm southwest of Willow City and was blessed with three children, Kimberly, Nancy and Shane.  During this time, Shirley was active in the Willow City Public School PTO, music and band boosters.  She was an active member in the First Presbyterian Church of Willow City and served as president and secretary of the Presbyterian Women.  She also taught Sunday school and was the church organist for over 25+ years.

Shirley and her soul mate Warren, worked side-by-side for over 36 years on the farm and ranch, She enjoyed cooking, baking, raising her children and assisting her husband in anyway she could.  It was quite common for Shirley to wash and hang out clothes, make dinner, mow grass, help move machinery, go on parts runs, haul grain and still have supper on the table when the day was done.  In her spare time, if she had any at all, she also enjoyed gardening, sewing, playing the organ and piano and canning.  She was in 7^th heaven when the grandchildren were around and always took time to listen to their stories.

Warren died suddenly on March 13^th 1998, breaking Shirley’s heart.  She continued to help her son on the farm through the years until failing health forced her to slow down.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.  We are at peace knowing she is finally pain free and home with Dad and the Lord.

Survivors include her children, Kimberly (Pete) Winger of Minot, Nancy (Donnie) Gordon of Park River and Shane (Sharon) of Willow City; grandchildren, Karolynn Winger, Hannah Gordon, Warren, Ella and Grant Walker; two brothers, Leroy (Muriel) and Robert (JoAnn), all of Rugby and Edward (Dana) of Towner; two sisters, Carol Johnson of Overly and Marilyn Polk of Bismarck; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, Donald; a brothers-in-law, Dan Polk and Doug Cilz; father and mother-in-law, Wesley and Ella Walker; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8^th at the First Lutheran Church in Willow City with spring burial in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Willow City.  Pastor Linda Wimmer and Rev. Don Andrews, officiates.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with a time of prayer and sharing of memories beginning at 7 p.m.