Marilyn Jolene (Rousey) Walker, age 92 was called to rest on January 3rd, 2023, at the WEL-Life Assisted Living in Ogallala, NE Marilyn, the only child of Orla (pronounced Or-lay) and Helen (Ruettimann) Rousey was born October 6th, 1930 at Hamlet, NE.
She attended grade school in Hamlet and attended High school at Wauneta, NE graduating with the class of 1948. Marilyn attended and earned a teaching certificate from Kearney State
Teachers College, now known as University of Nebraska at Kearney. She
taught 3 years at rural schools in Hayes County.
On December 23,
1951, she married Frank Priest in the Hamlet Union Church. Four children
were born to this union. Eldon Delynn, Gerald Eugene, Jolene Rose and
Orla Jean. During these years they moved often with their work of
construction. Living in several towns in Nebraska plus the states of
Colorado, South Dakota, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Her
husband lost his life in their trailer house fire in 1959 at Bogue, KS.
Marilyn and children moved back to Hamlet NE to be near family and
friends.
Marilyn married L.E. “Oney” Walker, on February 19th, 1965, in the Methodist Church in Culbertson, NE and making their home in
Hamlet, NE.
In May of 1971, Marilyn took the position at the Hamlet
Post Office and served as Postmaster for 25 and ½ years, retiring in
1997. Also during those years, she and Oney owned and operated the
“Walker’s Service” in Hamlet for 11 years.
Marilyn was a member of
the Hamlet Union Church; A Charter and Life Member of the V.F.W. Ladies
Auxiliary at Palisade, NE; A member of the American Legion Auxiliary in
Wauneta, NE. Served on the Meadow Lawn Cemetery Board for nearly 37
years.
Marilyn moved to Ogallala, NE in March of 1999 to live closer to her daughter, Orla and family.
Preceding her in death: son, Eldon, being 7 weeks shy of his third
birthday in March of 1957; daughter, Jolene Heldenbrand in May of 2007;
husband, Frank Priest in January of 1959, her father, O.H. Rousey in
February of 1968; her mother, Helen Rousey in February of 1991; her
husband, L.E. Walker in October of 1987; Step-son, Clyde “Junior” Walker
in May 2006; her Aunt, Pauline Haenfler in September of 2009 and
husband Edward “Ed” Haenfler in December of 2006.
A very dear Aunt,
Rosa Ruettimann, in April of 1980 who Marilyn said was her second
mother. Plus, many other Aunt’s, Uncle’s and relatives.
Survivors include: son, Gerald (Cheryl) Priest of Julesburg, CO;
daughter Orla (Ron) Kitt of Ogallala, NE; son-in-law, Rick (Lee Ann)
Heldenbrand of Lincoln, NE.
5 granddaughter’s, Brandie Kitt
(Jarrod) Curtis of Ogallala, NE; Marcie Kitt (Jason) Houghtelling of
Cambridge, NE; Jessie Heldenbrand of Lincoln, NE; Elie Heldenbrand
(Billy) Stovall all of Lincoln NE; Abbie Heldenbrand (Matt) Doran of
Boone, IA;
Great Grandchildren, Eric Heldenbrand, Brye, Cole and
Rynn Stovall, Kylie, Jace and Lainey Doran, Tai Le and Jessa Curtis,
Kyrie, Colbie and Cici Houghtelling. Many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday morning, January 9, 2023, 11:00
A.M. (Central Time) at the Hamlet Union Church, Hamlet, Nebraska, with
Pastor Nathan Witt officiating. Interment will follow in the Meadow Lawn
Cemetery, Hamlet, NE.
Visitation will be held Sunday afternoon,
January 8, 2023, 2:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M. (Mountain Time) at Liewer Funeral
Home, Wauneta, Nebraska.
A memorial, In Marilyn’s Memory, has been suggested to the Walker Family for a future designation.
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com