Thelma Lorene Walker, daughter of Sam and Fern Blanton, was born on June 3, 1923 in Bushong, KS. She entered into eternal rest on December 7, 2018.
Thelma graduated from Alta Vista High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College and Brown Business School. Thelma taught for 3 years in Morris County rural schools.
On February 21, 1942, Thelma was united in marriage to Leo Walker. Thelma followed her husband to various army bases during WWII. At these army bases, Thelma inspected shoes at an army camp in Watertown NY, broke eggs in Murfreesboro, TN and was a government inspector at Hercules Power Plant in Eudora, KS. After the war, Thelma and Leo lived in Topeka, KS. Thelma was Department Manager for Montgomery Wards, then was hired on at Dupont, where she was a clerk typist. After 62 years, Thelma retired from Dupont in 1985, but continued to work part time at Dupont/Flexel.
During retirement, Thelma volunteered at Washburn University, enjoyed knitting afghans for all the newborns in the family and for various friends. She liked making quilts for the grandchildren. She also enjoyed baking cakes for all occasions and particularly enjoyed baking the cake for her son's wedding. Thelma and Leo enjoyed square dancing, traveling in their camper with the Capital Sam Club and traveled to many states. Thelma was an active member of the University Methodist Church.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Leo Walker, parents, Sam and Fern Blanton and many brothers and sisters. Thelma is survived by her son, Steven (Connie) Walker of St. Peters, MO. Three grandchildren, Brian (Kristin) Walker, Kevin (Katie) Walker and Lisa Walker, four great-grandchildren, Arianna Walker, Abigail Walker, Aurora Walker and Isla Lohmeyer; sisters Carol Cockrill, Vicki Eveland and brothers Ed (Jeanne) Blanton, Vernon Blanton, nieces, nephews and many friends.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2018 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6th & Gage, Topeka.
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