Joan Elaine Walker

Joan Elaine Walker was born March 2, 1928 in Staples MN and passed away at Eventide in Jamestown North Dakota on November 21, 2020 at the age of 92 from COVID.

After moving several times Joan’s family settled in Maddock North Dakota where she met and married Emmett Sylvester Walker. Together they farmed and raised seven children.

Although Joan had to drop out of school in eighth grade to help support her family, she was an avid reader. She especially liked learning about medical topics and increasing her vocabulary. Once, in a head-to-head match, she finished the notoriously difficult Sunday New York Times crossword faster than anyone else in a group that included several college professors.

Grateful for having shared in Joan’s life are 2 sons and 5 daughters, Robert Walker CA, Frances Haas ND, Mary Ann Johnston ND, Mark Walker ND, Elaine Walker TN, Marilyn Walker NC, Margaret Higham MN; ten grandchildren: Christine, Robin, Paul, Melanie, Wyatt, James, Lisa, Laura, John, Daniel, Liz and Robert; and several great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents Elbert Isaiah Sparks and Ruth Ellen Brown and all her siblings including her twin sister Jean Hassett.

We recognize and give our sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at Eventide Nursing Home in Jamestown ND. The kindness, care and respect you showed our mom over the past couple of years is greatly appreciated and will be remembered. Joan will be missed.