In loving memory, to honor Terri Sue Stielow Walker, taken on her final adventure from life on earth to eternal joy and peace with Christ in heaven on October 7th, 2023.
Born September 2nd, 1958 to Sherwin and Dorothy Stielow in Russell, KS. Terri grew up in Kansas, daughter of a KS Hwy Patrol Sargent. She attended Salina Central and Hiawatha high schools where she was a cheerleader, met her best friends, Chris and Susan, and where she discovered her passion for theatre. Terri attended Hiawatha Junior College performing in numerous plays, including Bus Stop where she played the role of Marilyn Monroe to perfection.
Terri went on to become Food and Beverage Director for the Hyatt Regency Houston, where she opened multiple restaurants—she was most proud of the Skies rooftop location, which rotates slowly! She earned that position in the 3rd year of her 5 year tenure with Hyatt Hotels as a direct result of her work ethic, leadership skills, and her remarkable creativity.
Terri met her husband Kirk in 1985 while working at the Hyatt Regency Houston. After dating 3 years and knowing their deep love for one another Kirk finally proposed, and they married August 1991. God could not have orchestrated a more loving union; a match formed in heaven!
In October of 1992 Kirk and Terri were blessed with their first child, Tyler. Within a few weeks Terri was diagnosed with brain cancer, causing left side paralysis 2 years later. Diagnosis and survival rate were grim, but Terri persevered another 30 years as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. In 1999 she and Kirk had their second son, Jared, a true gift from God.
Terri fought 3 bouts of brain cancer, 1 against GI cancer, and 1 against breast cancer. She never let the pain of those treatments bring her down. She always remained positive despite the fear. She celebrated the small victories in recovery instead of questioning why she was knocked down in the first place for reasons beyond her control. She even regained the ability to walk with one leg and arm through continued therapy, and got her driver’s license so she could take care of the house, the kids, making meals, doing laundry, gardening, holiday decorations, and so much more.
Terri never lost an ounce of faith in Christ or devotion to her family and community through these health challenges. She led Salina WW and a church group after losing 111 lbs, she later started a similar group named faith-not-food, she ran a food blog website <Flip2Tasty.com> promoting lower calorie flips to meals while preserving flavor, she led her son’s football functions as parent liaison—and single-handedly raised the money for the Mustang’s football tunnel. She inspired people everywhere she went and touched many lives.
After their sons moved out for college, Terri and Kirk moved to Florida to start their next adventure and plan retirement. Unfortunately, over their 4 years in FL cancer took its toll physically and mentally. God finally said enough and sent Jesus to deliver her home to her FATHER in heaven. We were blessed to have her in our lives and cherish every memory until we meet again.
Terri Walker is survived by her parents, Sherwin and Dorothy Stielow, her husband, Kirk Walker, their children, Tyler and Jared, her brothers, Tim and Tracy Stielow, and many other family and friends.
Services in Terri’s honor will be held at 10am, Saturday December 9th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 425 N. Main St, Russell, KS. Following the service, you are invited to purchase lunch with us at Waudby’s, 719 N Main St, Russell, KS. Family and friends are welcome.