Alice Walker

Alice Bergeson Walker, 97, a well-loved and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on November 25, 2011.

Alice was born June 30, 1914 in Shelley, Idaho. She was the oldest of seven children born to George Allen Lufkin and Venus Wiser Lufkin. She grew up loving books, music, nature, dancing and anything to do with family. After graduating high school, she attended RICKS college where she received her AA degree. She then taught nursery school for two years. In 1938, she met and lost her heart to a young widower, Elmo J. Bergeson, and his adorable five-year-old son. They courted and were married April 20, 1939. They resided and farmed in Blackfoot and Homedale, Idaho where they had five more children: Anne, Brent, Sandra, Kaye, and Paul.

In 1954, they left Idaho and farming and moved to the fast-growing Moses Lake area looking for new opportunities. Alice supported Elmo in their new business and worked as a checker at Dietzen's Thriftway Grocery Store while raising her family. They lost their son, Brent, to death in 1963 and in 1965, after nearly 26 years of marriage, her husband, Elmo, passed away.

In 1969, Alice met Raymond R. Walker on a blind date square dancing and they were married January 6, 1970. He had five children: Royce, Peggy, Roger, Keith, and Vicki, giving her more family to love and serve.

Alice found joy in giving service to the community and the LDS Church. She taught seminary for thirteen years and with Ray, served a mission in Florida. She promoted great talent through the Community Concert series and tutored elementary students in reading. Her favorite activities included camping with family and the Good Sam's camp club, quilting, square dancing, and traveling - visiting many places in the U.S. and around the world. Yet, her greatest joy was her family. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than to be with her children or her grandchildren and she was beloved by both.

Alice was preceded in death by Raymond Walker in 2000, his two sons, Royce and Roger Walker and three of her siblings, Joyce Nelson, Rodney Lufkin, and Harold Lufkin. She is survived by two sisters Lorraine Lewis, Mildred Telford, and a brother, Richard Lufkin, as well as her children Wallace Bergeson, Anne Hyatt, Sandra Rietz, Kaye Cook Paul Bergeson, Peggy Soden, Keith Walker, and Vicki Walker. She has 35 grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren, and 34 great-great-grandchildren. She will be loved always and her legacy of service and love will continue to bring cherished memories.

On Thursday, December 1, a viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel located at 831 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake. The family will be there to greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1849 Nelson Rd. N.E. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel.