Ellen Marie Walker

With deep love, we announce the passing of Ellen Marie Walker (née Nelson), a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at the age of 84.

Ellen was born to Elwood and Mildred Nelson on February 12, 1942, in Titonka, Iowa. The oldest of four children, she was a farmer’s daughter who grew up detasseling corn, driving tractors, and walking beans. She graduated from Titonka High School.

Her parents owned the local bowling alley, Tyke Lanes, where Ellen’s lifelong love of bowling began. She bowled in a league every year, including 2026. Ellen maintained a 180 average into her 80s. One of her proudest accomplishments was her high series score of 667 in 1983 — and yes, she kept the score sheet.

Ellen graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in English. She developed lifelong friendships with her college roommates, and throughout the years, they always found time to reconnect and laugh together.

She became a secondary education teacher and was famously devoted to proper grammar. She proudly joked that she sent her children off to kindergarten speaking perfect grammar, and no school paper escaped her editing pencil.

Ellen met James “Jim” Walker in the summer of 1967. After Jim accepted a principalship in Rush City, they began building a life and family together. They first lived on Rush Lake before moving to their beloved split-level home outside of town — affectionately known as “the wood tick house” because of the countless ticks picked off the children after playing in the tall grass. Jim and Ellen decided together that Ellen would stay home to raise their children, a choice they never regretted. Together, they lived in Rush City, Sioux Valley, Sandstone, Tracy, and North Branch. North Branch ultimately became the hometown where they chose to stay and raise their family.

Ellen pursued meaningful work that reflected her talents and compassion. She taught classes at Sandstone Penitentiary and Cambridge Community College, wrote pamphlets and edited for Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and authored two books through Hazelden: Growing Up with My Children: Reflections of a Less than Perfect Parent and Smoker: Self Portrait of a Nicotine Addict. She later worked for the Post Review. Ellen was always ready for adventure. In retirement, she and Jim purchased an RV and traveled around the United States and Canada. They eventually settled permanently in Arizona.

Ellen was a deeply devoted grandmother. She and Jim kept a home in Ohio so they could spend summers near their son’s family and watch their grandchildren grow. She delighted in taking her daughter’s children for weekends filled with baking cookies, playing outdoors, and snuggling together. Her grandson insisted that it be mentioned that she made the very best Swedish pancakes, often delivering fresh batches to her daughter’s home for the boys. Every grandchild received a handmade birthday card each year featuring a collage of photographs from throughout their lives.

Above all, Ellen will be remembered for her wit, humor, and gift for making people smile. She loved sarcasm, struck up conversations with strangers everywhere she went, and once famously convinced an entire motorcycle gathering to sing her “Happy Birthday” on her 70th Birthday.

Ellen is lovingly remembered by her husband of nearly 58 years, James Walker; her children, Tonya Stuempfl (Curtis), Kevin Walker (Sarah), and Todd Walker (Angélica); her grandchildren, Oscar, Katie, Jack, Zach, and Ben; her brother, Keith Nelson; and many dear friends and extended family members.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.