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Margarette H. “Lucy” Walker, nee Bolander, age 70, of Belleville, IL, born on February 16, 1951, in Burlington, IA, died on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Lucy was a homemaker and had a lifelong association with the Air Force through her father and husband's service to our country. As a result, she attended 13 schools before she graduated high school in Burlington, Iowa in 1969. Overall, she lived in 8 states and one foreign country. She loved being an "Air Force Brat" and frequented her Facebook community for "Air Force Brats" reconnecting with friends and sharing stories with others.
Lucy married her lifelong love, Randy Walker, on August 30, 1969. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in August 2019. Over the years they have enjoyed roller skating, bowling going on vacations, eating out and spoiling their grandkids together.
Lucy's greatest aspiration was to be a mother, that she began realizing in 1981 when Lucy & Randy welcomed Randy 2 into their home. It was an answer to prayers. Over the years she loved being a mother. Alongside Randy, Lucy taught her son the importance of family, how to have fun and many valuable life skills. And Lucy welcomed all of Randy 2's friends into their home and loved them as if they were her own.
Another important element of Lucy's family life was her pets. Over her life she had countless cats and dogs. She worked to ensure that all had a good home and felt loved.
During their early years of marriage Lucy worked at the Holiday Inn in Dover, Delaware. Through this work experience, she met and interacted with racing legends like Dale Earnhart and Richard Petty because, at that time, the NASCAR Drivers would stay at the local Holiday Inn before their races at Dover International Speedway. (The sport was smaller then.). In addition, Lucy worked at Burger King. She continued to enjoy their food throughout her life and had fun stories about product's she believed her ideas inspired. Lucy was also employed at Adecco Staffing in Mascoutah, Illinois.
Lucy's hobbies included, cooking, reading mystery stories, doing genealogy, playing games and spending time with family. As a young mother, Lucy taught her son, Randy 2, to cook and bake many things, even making pasta from scratch. He still uses those techniques today making dinner with his family or baking sugar cookies during the Christmas season.
Lucy's favorite books to read were mysteries. Growing up, she liked the Nancy Dew series and as an adult she favored mysteries written by James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark and Agatha Christie. Lucy also really enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books and was delighted to take a trip to Harry Potter world in Orlando a couple years ago.
She did a lot of genealogical work over the course of her life. Lucy used it as another chance to connect with her family, both living and deceased. Over the years she helped a lot of members of the Metro East community find their relatives when they visited a local family history center.
Lucy loved to play games with her family. During family trips to visit her mother, Mary Bolander, and sister Sue Bolander, they would spend most of the weekend playing games. Some of Lucy's favorites were Scattergories and Phase 10.
Related to that, she loved spending time with her family. Whether it was a family dinner, time over a holiday or a chance to attend a family reunion Lucy enjoyed the opportunity to see those that mattered most to her, tell stories and laugh.
Lucy's faith was an important component of her life. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our family is grateful for the countless friends and the support she received over the years from members of our congregations.
Lucy is known for her kindness, optimism and laugh. Her strength in facing challenges was an inspiration for others. And she consistently tried to "mourn with those that mourn" and "comfort those who stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:9). We are grateful to know that she has comfort now as well.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James W. and Mary V., nee Shaw, Bolander; and her sister, Mary Elizabeth Bolander.
Lucy is survived by her husband, Randolph M. Walker; her son Randolph McGee (Amy) Walker, II; her grandchildren, Kennedy Walker, Mick Walker and T.J. Walker; her sister, Rebekah Sue Bolander; and her brother-in-law, Charles Edward Blakley. Lucy is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, beloved cousins, and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or to the ASPCA.
Memorial visitation will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 255 Fairwood Hills Rd., O’Fallon, IL 62269.
Memorial service will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 255 Fairwood Hills Rd., O’Fallon, IL 62269.
For those interested in attending the services virtually, please reach out a member of the family directly or via Facebook.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margarette "Lucy" H. Walker, please visit our floral store.
ASPCA
424 E. 92nd St., New York NY 10128-6804
Tel: 1-800-628-0028
Arthritis Foundation