Wilma Walls

WILMA BERTHA CAROLINE WALLS

Wilma Bertha Caroline Walls, age 97, of Montrose, IA, formerly of Kahoka, MO,died Tuesday, April 20, 2010 while a patient of Keokuk Area Hospital.

Wilma was born January 7, 1913 in Alexandria, MO, a daughter of William Benjamin and Emma Ellen Avis Mortimer Arnold.

She was married on April 22, 1935 to George S. Winters in Keokuk and they were the parents of two children. She later married Grover C. Walls on May 5, 1951 in Clay County, Arkansas. He preceded her in death in August of 1971.

Survivors include: one daughter, Sandra Ewart of Alexandria, MO; one son, Kenneth Winters and his wife, Pat, of Canton, MO; two step-sons, Howard Winters of Port Angeles, WA and Bill Walls of Willis, TX; ten grandchildren: Randy (Martha) Ewart of Wayland, Debra (Kent) Gorham of Burlington, Lori-ann Ewart of Alexandria, Gina Ewart of Alexandria, Darrell (Debbie) Winters of Canton, Kevin (Loretta) Winters of Kahoka, Kim (Chad) Winters of Canton, Lori Winters of Liberty, Kelly (Todd) Campell of Kahoka, and Kurt (Deanna) Winters of Spring Hill, KS; four step grandchildren and their families: Greg Winters, Cathy Thompson, Blake Walls and Valli Wyatt; 21 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Walls; son-in-law, Joseph Ab Ewart; grandson, Kyle Winters; great-great granddaughter, Faith Gorham; one brother, William Benjamin Arnold; and, five sisters and their husbands: Virgie and Charles Stevens, Vera and Glen Ridgely, Verna and William Gatton, Minnie and Albert Kirchner, and Dorothy and Norbert Bennett.

In earlier years, Wilma was owner and manager of the Airport Inn at Burlington and was a former employee at the Sylvania plant. After moving to Kahoka in 1972 she worked at Hemms Café as a waitress and also baked their pies. She was an expert with flowers, raising and selling African violets around the tri-state area. Together, Wilma and Grover bred and showed Samoyed dogs and at one time raised and owned the Female National Champion, in addition with several Champion males.

She was a Christian Believer and affiliated with the Baptist faith, being a member with Yarmouth Baptist Church of Yarmouth, Iowa. She recently had worshiped with the Alexandria Baptist Church of Alexandria, Missouri.

Wilma was a wonderful baker and sold her pies at Old Settlers, the Mule Festival, Farmers Market and at the Nutrition Site. She loved attending each of these events as much as she enjoyed selling her baked goods there. Each of her grandchildren always got their favorite dessert from grandma, whether it was a pie, cake or cookie. Further, she was an experienced seamstress who always made sure her family was well dressed. She loved her family dearly and

each day spent with them was a special day.

Funeral services were held Friday, April 23, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Alexandria Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Ewart officiating.

Burial was in the Keokuk (IA) National Cemetery.

Memorials were suggested to the Clark Co. Senior Center.