Delores Walker

Delores Irene (Verhougstraete) Walker

Delores Irene (Verhougstraete) Walker, born September 20, 1925, passed into the arms of her Savior on April 21, 2014, following a long illness. Despite her deteriorating health in recent years, Delores was always the spark at the center of her family's life, joining in travels and celebrations until the last few weeks of her life.

A lifelong resident of the Lansing area, she was a graduate of J.W. Sexton High School and established a career as a microbiology/bacteriology technician with the Michigan Department of Public Health. Soon after the end of WWII, she married Joseph F. Walker, of Olivet, Michigan, on April 27, 1946. 

The couple had two daughters: Constance I. Lawson (Walker) and Christine A. Walker, both of Grand Ledge, Michigan. She is survived by her daughters and five grandchildren - Marnie (Jason) Swartzendruber, Trenna (Brian) Nees, Brian (Patrice) Phelps, Glen (Beth) Phelps, and Trent (Renee) Lawson) - eight great grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, one-great great grandchild and five step great great grandchildren. She was dearly loved by her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, who died in 2006, a brother Kenneth Verhougstraete, sister-in-law Viola Verhougstraete; and brother Richard Verhougstraete.

She inspired her family with her creativity, practicality, humor, intelligence, style and wisdom. She was a devoted Catholic with a special devotion to the Madonna. She prayed the rosary daily.

Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and she was proud to say that she had provided daycare for nearly all of her grandchildren over the years. She is most loved for classics such as Pat-A-Cake, I Love You a Bushel and a Peck, and Itsy Bitsy Spider.

She will be remembered for her generosity to others and her devotion to those she loved.

Memorial services will be held at the Holihan-Atkin Funeral Home. 406 North Bridge Street, Grand Ledge, Mich. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with a wake service at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 325 Edwards, Street, Grand Ledge, Mich., at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26.

Pallbearers are Nicholas Draper, Trent Lawson, Brian Nees, Brian Phelps, Glen Phelps and Jason Swartzendruber. Honorary pallbearers Lucas Nees, Elijah Nees, Alec Phelps and Bryce Phelps.

In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be donated to St. Vincent Catholic Charities, 2800 West, Willow Street, Lansing, MI 48917. Share your memories and condolences online at www.holihanatkin.com