Louise Walker

Louise Saupp Walker, 94, of Bigler died at the Clearfield Hospital on Thursday, November 16, 2006.

Born July 8, 1812, at Houtzdale she was the fourth child and eldest daughter of the eight children of Alice (Dillon) and James George Saupp.

She is a 1931 graduate of Houtzdale High School which is now known as Moshannon Valley High School.

On March 11, 1940 she married Ray S. Walker of Bigler in Dover, New Jersey. The couple has resided in Bigler since 1940, where they founded the Walker Gardens and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2006.

Louise is survived by her husband Ray of Bigler, two sons, Jim and his wife Carol of Bigler, Alan and his wife Judy of Clearfield and a daughter Susan Kriner and her husband Bill of Clearfield.

Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Jaimy Buck and husband Bill of RD Woodland and their children Jeremy and Cody, Jimmy Walker and wife Sharyn of Liberty, NC, Jason Walker and wife Tammy of Bigler and their children, Carlee, Cade and Cayleigh, Jarrett Walker and wife Mindy of Rockton and their children Brandon and Lauren, Jabe Walker and wife Veronica of Rockton, Jonathan Walker and wife Misty of Rockton and their son Colten, Derek Walker of Bigler, Courtney Spencer and husband Andy of Clearfield and their son Cole, Barbara Siggins and husband John of State College and their children Zachary and Thomas and Lucas Kriner of Centerville, VA.

In addition, a sister Lenore Stott of Ridgeview Elder Care in Curwensville and two brothers, Donald of Houtzdale and Robert and his wife Delores of Hudson along with numerous nieces and nephews survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Charlie of Houtzdale, Kenneth of Huntingdon, Chance of Allentown and Dillon of Philipsburg, a daughter Anne Macko of State College and a granddaughter, Joan Caren Walker of Bigler.

Along with her husband Ray, she co-founded a number of civic and youth activities in the Bigler area including the Bigler Playground, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Bigler YMCA and the Walker Family Foundation which has funded numerous college scholarships for area youth. Her focus was always on making the world a better and safer place for future generations. Louise and Ray also opened their gardens each year for charities which helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for civic projects and community improvement.

Louise and her husband Ray were avid travelers who visited many countries and in 1968 rode the Trans Siberian Railroad over 8, 000 miles across Russia. In 1953, the Walkers represented the state of Pennsylvania at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England and had the honor of meeting Winston Churchill. The couple was also politically active and in 1980 hosted George Bush, Sr. at their home.

Memorial services conducted by the Rev. Earl M. Brooks will be held in the main sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield located at 119 N. Second Street, Clearfield at 11:00 AM on Tuesday. Interment will be at Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde.

A luncheon will be hosted by the family at the Clearfield Curwensville Country Club following the service.

Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, 113 N. Third Street, Clearfield, on Sunday from 4 – 7:00 PM and on Monday from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8:00 PM.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Bigler YMCA, Post Office Box 417, Bigler, PA 16825.