Mary E. Walker

Mary E. Walker, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Good Samaritan Society in Fennimore. She was born December 22, 1925, the daughter of Arthur and Anna (Cero) Hahn. She graduated from Fennimore High School in 1943 and then worked in the Frantz Law Office, the Leo Brechler Insurance Office and The First State Bank in Fennimore.

Mary married Roger Walker on October 23, 1948, and together they farmed on the Walker family farm in Liberty Township until Roger became ill and passed away on November 18, 1958. Mary and their three daughters then moved to Lancaster and she started working at Lancaster State Bank. She attended the Graduate School of Banking at University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in 1982. Mary continued working at M&I Bank in Lancaster for a total of thirty-five years, eventually becoming Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer, retiring in 1990.

Mary was very active at St. Clement Catholic Church, serving on the church council and finance committee. She was also a secretary of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, president of the Schreiner Memorial Library Board, and member of the Lancaster Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Mary was a tour guide and coordinator for the bus trips offered by M&I Bank Prestige Club. She enjoyed the bus trips, sewing, cooking, crocheting, golfing, playing cards, and craftwork. Mary loved having her family together for the holidays, and going out to eat with her friends. She cherished her grandchildren and always enjoyed having them come and stay with her. She went out of her way to plan activities, and to make sure everyone had a great time.

Surviving are her three daughters: Jane (Bruce) Folbrecht; Nancy Martin; Carol (Jon Hill) Bentzler; six grandchildren: Chris (Betsy) Folbrecht; Kathleen Folbrecht; Jennifer (David) Wilkie; Kelly (Josh) Taylor; Zach (Nicki Oster) and Anna Bentzler; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold (Linda) Hahn; sister-in-law, Dorothy Hahn; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Roger, Mary was preceded in death by her four brothers: Charles (Amelia); Herbert (Mary Jean); Fred and Bernard.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Fr. John Sasse officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, rural Lancaster. Family and friends called on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lancaster, and on Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Mary E. Walker Memorial Fund has been established.