Marilyn Jolene (Rousey) Walker

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Oct. 6, 1930 - Jan. 3, 2023

OGALLALA, Neb. — Marilyn Jolene (Rousey) Walker, age 92, was called to rest on Jan. 3, 2023 at the WEL-Life Assisted Living in Ogallala.

Marilyn, the only child of Orla (pronounced Or-lay) and Helen (Ruettimann) Rousey, was born Oct. 6, 1930, at Hamlet, Neb. She attended grade school in Hamlet and attended high school at Wauneta, Neb., graduating with the Class of 1948.

Marilyn attended and earned a teaching certificate from Kearney State Teachers College, now known as University of Nebraska at Kearney. She taught three years at rural schools in Hayes County.

On Dec. 23, 1951, she married Frank Priest in the Hamlet Union Church. Four children were born to this union, Eldon Delynn, Gerald Eugene, Jolene Rose and Orla Jean. During these years, they moved often with their work of construction, living in several towns in Nebraska plus the states of Colorado, South Dakota, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Her husband lost his life in their trailer house fire in 1959 at Bogue, Kan. Marilyn and children moved back to Hamlet to be near family and friends.

Marilyn married L.E. “Oney” Walker, on Feb. 19, 1965, in the Methodist Church in Culbertson, Neb., and made their home in Hamlet.

In May of 1971, Marilyn took the position at the Hamlet Post Office and served as Postmaster for 25 and a half years, retiring in 1997. Also during those years, she and Oney owned and operated the “Walker’s Service” in Hamlet for 11 years.

Marilyn was a member of the Hamlet Union Church; a charter and life member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary at Palisade, Neb.; a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Wauneta and served on the Meadow Lawn Cemetery Board for nearly 37 years. Marilyn moved to Ogallala in March of 1999 to live closer to her daughter, Orla and family.

Preceding her in death was her son, Eldon, being seven weeks shy of his third birthday in March of 1957; daughter, Jolene Heldenbrand in May of 2007; husband, Frank Priest in January of 1959, her father, O.H. Rousey in February of 1968; her mother, Helen Rousey in February of 1991; her husband, L.E. Walker in October of 1987; step-son, Clyde “Junior” Walker in May 2006; her aunt, Pauline Haenfler in September of 2009; husband, Edward “Ed” Haenfler in December of 2006; and a very dear aunt, Rosa Ruettimann, in April of 1980 who Marilyn said was her second mother. Plus, many other aunts, uncles and relatives.

Survivors include son, Gerald (Cheryl) Priest of Julesburg, Colo.; daughter, Orla (Ron) Kitt of Ogallala; son-in-law, Rick (Lee Ann) Heldenbrand of Lincoln, Neb.; five granddaughters, Brandie Kitt (Jarrod) Curtis of Ogallala, Marcie Kitt (Jason) Houghtelling of Cambridge, Neb., Jessie Heldenbrand of Lincoln, Neb., and Elie Heldenbrand (Billy) Stovall, all of Lincoln, Neb., and Abbie Heldenbrand (Matt) Doran of Boone, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Eric Heldenbrand, Brye, Cole and Rynn Stovall, Kylie, Jace and Lainey Doran, Tai Le and Jessa Curtis, Kyrie, Colbie and Cici Houghtelling; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Monday morning, Jan. 9, 2023, 11 a.m. (CT), at the Hamlet Union Church, Hamlet, Neb., with Johnny Walker officiating. Interment will follow in the Meadow Lawn Cemetery, Hamlet.

Visitation will be Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8, 2023, 2-6 p.m. (MT), at Liewer Funeral Home, Wauneta.

A memorial in Marilyn’s memory has been suggested to the Walker Family for future designation.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta is entrusted with arrangements.