Mary F. "Toots" Walch

Mary Frances "Toots" Walch, 97, of Raymond, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center, just two days before her 98th birthday. She was born August 22, 1927, to Leo and Opal (Herman) Wagahoff. Toots married Lester Walch on November 8, 1962. They had one son, Carl Gene Walch, born on October 7, 1964, who was her pride and joy. Carl married the former Janet Brachear on June 10, 1989, and Toots loved Janet like her own daughter. Toots had three precious grandchildren, Tyler Walch of Maryland, Kylie (Claudenir) Ferreira of Brazil, and Kassie (Gus) Gibbs of Georgia. She was blessed to meet and cuddle her great grandchildren, Rosemary Gibbs, Clara Gibbs, and Vicente Ferreira.

Toots graduated from Raymond High School with the class of 1944. She was employed by Kroger, and by First National Bank for several years. After she married, she was a dedicated homemaker and excelled at caring for her son and husband. Toots loved to cook, and leaves behind handwritten cookbooks full of her many famous recipes. She was known for her exceptional pie baking, and her legacy lives on through her daughter-in-law and granddaughters. Toots was quick-witted and often brought those around her to tears with her comments and jokes. She was always willing to lend a helping hand or share a meal and was a proud member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church in Raymond. Toots enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, most certainly earning the title of Best Grandma Ever.

Toots was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers Harold Wagahoff, Bob Wagahoff, Kenny Wagahoff, Jack Wagahoff, and James Wagahoff, the latter who died in infancy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 12 noon, at St. Raymond's Catholic Church in Raymond. Fr. Florent Kanga will preside. Burial will follow in St. Raymond Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Family and friends are warmly invited to join the Walch family for food and fellowship at the Community of Faith Church on O'Bannon Street, Raymond, following the burial. Memorials may be directed to the Raymond Park, or to St. Raymond Cemetery.

Hough Funeral Home is assisting the family. To sign the online guest book, light a virtual candle, or for directions, please visit www.houghfuneralhome.com.