Elsie M. Walker

The Lord welcomed Elsie into her eternal home on Sunday, October 21, 2018, where she was reunited with Delbert, her beloved husband of 62 years.
Elsie lived her faith through a lifetime of generous caring and warm welcome for her large family of siblings, cousins, children, grandchildren, and friends. She was born March 27, 1931, in Lemmon, South Dakota, to Henry R. and Pauline (Heupel) Lemke. She was the second of 12 children and cared for her younger siblings with the kindness and discipline of a second mother. She learned the art of homemaking at her mother’s side, cooking and preserving foods and developing the heart of hospitality that would make her home a haven and a place of celebration for generations. In the post-Depression years, Elsie’s family like so many others followed the work that was available, living for a time in an old schoolhouse in Loveland, Colorado, then settling in Yakima, Washington in the early 1940s. Elsie worked in a variety of jobs to help support the family, including taking in ironing, working as nanny for a chiropractor, and later providing office support at the Fuller Brush Company. Her final job before she married was at Lou Johnson’s Dress Shop in Yakima, where her responsibilities included modeling hosiery. Elsie met Del during a fellowship meeting at the Tabernacle. They married on April 9, 1955 at the Stone Church. In their faith-filled home, Elsie made everyone feel loved and welcome, whether you needed a hearty meal, a wise confidant, or a place to stay while you got back on your feet. Fussy babies quieted into peaceful sleep at the sound of Elsie’s gentle humming, young people congregated around her home after church events, and family always found a bountiful meal served with grace and warmth.
Del’s work eventually brought the family to Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1976, where Elsie continued to welcome people of all ages into her home and her heart. That love now enfolds her as she has returned to the home of her Lord and the welcome of family members who have gone before her: her beloved Del, their son Ronald, infant great-grandson Owen Michael McCormick, and six of her siblings. Her brother Marvin Lemke and twin sisters Arlene and Darlene Lemke died in infancy. Her brother Jim Lemke and sisters Leona Cole and Edna Lowe also preceded her in death.
Her legacy remains with her daughter, Phyllis Dunn, and son David (Jane) Walker and their
families. Elsie’s love enveloped her grandchildren: Jennifer (Michael) McCormick, and Jonathan, Thomas, Daniel, and Sarah Walker, and her great-granddaughter Willow McCormick. Her siblings remember her with love: David (Lorraine) Lemke, Violet (the late Don) Landsiedel, Pearl (David) Winsted, Judy (Jim) Meabon, and Bob (Cheryl) Lemke.
The family will honor Elsie’s life and faith at Bridge Church, 1314 S. Grand Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186, on Saturday, October 27, with a visitation from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend the reception at the church following the service. Elsie will be buried next to Del at Tahoma Cemetery in Yakima, Washington.