Obituary of Betty K Walker

Betty K Walker October 1, 1927 - April 22, 2017 "Every person who knew Betty was touched by her warmth and willingness to help others." Betty passed away peacefully on April 22nd but had faced her long illness buoyed by her faith and positive attitude. Betty Beryl Kizer was born October 1, 1927, to Beryl S. and Ethel (Green) Kizer in Eugene, OR. She grew up in Harrisburg, Oregon on the family farm and attended the one room (8 grades) Rowland School that was built on land donated by her grandfather. She graduated from Harrisburg High School. Growing up on the family farm, a yearly highlight was camping with her grandparents at the Oregon State Fair and showing her prize-winning sheep. A small scholarship convinced Betty to attend college and she matriculated at Oregon State College. With the war on, she and her roommates lived in one of the men's fraternity houses that was unused due to the war. She made lifelong friends and was active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. After graduating, Betty did graduate work at the University of Oregon and Reed College. She taught high school in Oregon in Colton and the Dalles. It was during her time in Colton when she met the love of her life, John N. Walker, and they were married on July 4th, 1952, in Harrisburg. After short stays in Klamath Falls and Woodson, Oregon, they moved to Kelso, Washington in late 1953 and then established home in Vancouver in 1958. She and John built a house together and they lived there since 1964. A longtime community volunteer, Betty was a member of the hospital auxiliary, and volunteered in schools, her church (including Clark Care Development Sunday school), and Cub Scouts. She served on the board of directors of Lakeshore Swim Club and served 40 years on the Vancouver Methodist Foundation board, most of those years heading the Scholarship Committee. In 2003, she and John received the Presidential Award for Excellence from the Clark College Foundation. With a beautiful voice, Betty loved music and was a Sweet Adeline member for many years and a charter member of two chapters, Cowlitz Valley of Kelso and Columbia River of Vancouver. Her quartet, the Four Shades, won the Forest Grove competition and entered international competitions. Betty stayed active with golf, reading, swimming, volleyball and raising five sons; hobbies were calligraphy, photography (including darkroom work), counted cross stitch, macrame, oil and tole painting, and loving cats. Betty is survived by her loving husband, John; her sons, Mark (Kathy), David (Deborah), Gregg (companion, Tabitha Sofge), Paul (Colleen) and Jon (Daria); grandchildren, Alec, Erin, Luke, Lev and Ledeya; brother, Charles Kizer; nieces, Kathy Kizer Helseth and Beth Kizer Dickson; nephew, Wayne Kizer; brother-in-law, Harold Hanson; and many wonderful friends. Betty was preceded in death by her younger sister, Marilyn Hanson. Betty's memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 401 E 33rd St., Vancouver on Friday, April 28th at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Vancouver Methodist Foundation, 401 E 33rd St., Vancouver, WA 98663 or your favorite charity . Another good way to remember Betty would be to follow her example of living with a smile and faith in God.