Delores Walker

Delores Ilene Walker, age 93, of Neillsville, WI, died Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the Neillsville Retirement Community, where she has resided for the past few years.

Delores lived all her life in Clark County. She was born May 17, 1932 to Art and Edith Schoengarth. Delores met the love of her life for eternity, Bernard Earl Walker, and shortly after married on March 10, 1951 in Fairchild, WI. They were rarely seen without each other. Even in their latest years, you might have seen them walking hand and hand. Together they farmed the Walker family farm in Willard, WI for 18 years.

Delores also worked at Suda's Grocery store and Hoppa's Bar while raising their 3 children, Dennis, Don and Diane. Later the family moved to Neillsville where she worked full-time at Opelt's Skogmo clothing store. Living in town gave them more time to enjoy fishing and their permanent camper at Rock Lake, WI. Delores found her greatest pleasure was cooking for her family and friends. She was known for treating the city workers and neighbor kids with her cookies and popsicles.

They were called Grandma and Grandpa by many in the neighborhood. Every Christmas, Delores loved cooking the traditional oyster stew for her children, grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Volunteering and giving time to others made Delores and Bernard's life full. Together they were the symbol of the American Legion fish fry and numerous parades showing their dedication to that cause. Delores was a long-time member of the Women's Auxiliary.

Delores leaves behind three children, Dennis (Linda) Walker of Marshfield, WI, Donald (Julie) Walker of Neillsville and Diane (Steve Gantert) Walker of Wausau, WI, eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Evie Schoengarth of Marshfield, WI.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, a daughter-in-law, Gail Walker, her parents, and two brothers, Merlin (Ruby) Schoengarth and Robert Schoengarth.

A memorial service for Delores will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Terry Marg will officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Gesche Funeral Home. An American Legion Ladies Auxiliary service will be held shortly before the service begins at 11:00. A livestream of Delores’s Memorial Service can be viewed at www.geschefh.com beginning at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025. 

Honorary Pall bearers are her granddaughters: Tracey Kurth, Beth Zank, Lydia Gantert, Megan Kelly, Jamie Walker, Becca Walker and Kristen Walker.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Delores’s family with funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.