Funeral services for Johnnie Bertis Walker, 97, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Wayne Halvorson will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Johnnie died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.
Johnnie Bertis Walker was born on March 10, 1912, to John and Margritt (Clark) Walker in Shell City, Mo. Johnnie attended school in Shell City, Mo., where he was valedictorian. He worked in road and building construction. Johnnie was united in marriage to Naomi Nichols on Dec. 20, 1935, in Kansas City, Mo. The couple moved to Nebraska, then to Mason City, Iowa, where Johnnie worked as a photographer and farm laborer. Later the couple resided in rural Albert Lea where Johnnie was employed at Wilson & Co. for 31 years, retiring in 1976. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and local union P-6. Johnnie enjoyed fishing and hunting and most of all time with his family.
Survivors include his children: Richard (Dorrene) Walker of Albert Lea and Naoma (Dennis) Morrison of Alden; grandchildren: Kimberly (Gene) Sams of Cumming, Ga., Renee (Larry) Forbes and Joedy (David) Duncan of Gainesville, Ga., Rose (Mike) Lein of Alden, Johnnie (Lori) Walker of Faribault, Shawn (Allison) Morrison of Albert Lea, and Sharlene (David) Rickert of Albert Lea; great-grandchildren: Denise and Kevin Sams, Jessica, Lieren and Spencer Forbes, Justyn and Ryan Duncan, David, Daniel, Samantha and Dillan Lein, Emily and Abby Walker, Lucas, Emma and Ava Morrison, Cole and Sage Rickert; great-great-grandchild, Kaylee Sams; and many nieces and nephews.
Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Naomi (Nichols) Walker in 1988; daughters: Betty Thompson and Bonnie Sleeper; son-in-laws: Robert Thompson and Gary Sleeper; granddaughter, Melinda Sleeper; three brothers and one sister.
Johnnie was greatly loved, and will be dearly missed by family and friends.