Obituary of Laura L. Walker
Laura Walker, a self-proclaimed city girl who traded her cosmopolitan roots for cornfields and wholeheartedly embraced the farm life, died on August 17, 2022 at her home in Joliet, IL. She was 91.
She and her twin brother Lawton Lamb were born in New Rochelle, NY, to Flora and Lawton Lamb. Laura was a “surprise” born 30 minutes after her brother and she never took the gift of life for granted, greeting each (early) morning with infectious optimism, colorful lipstick, and a fashionable outfit.
Laura, better known as Lollie or Lol to friends and family, spent her learning years in Sauganash and Glenview IL, graduating from Niles Township High School in 1948. Upon graduation, Lol attended the University of Illinois, where she became a sister in the Kappa Delta sorority. It was during a Greek life mixer that she met Robert Walker, an Agriculture student from New Lenox, IL, and they fell in love. From that point on Lol's life changed, merging with her beloved Robert's focused path toward agriculture and farming. They were married on February 17, 1951, at The Edgewater Hotel in Chicago, and began their new farm life in New Lenox shortly after.
Lol took to farm life with enthusiasm and ease, embracing the early mornings, rigorous work, and life outside of the city. Beyond her family, Lol's first love was music, with piano, Gershwin specifically, being a favorite since childhood. This was closely followed behind by her love of meeting for breakfast and communing with friends and family over eggs and a hot cup of coffee. Lol was a lifelong Cub fan, except, as she noted, when the Cubs played the Brewers, as her grandson is a coach for the Milwaukee team.
Lol was a welcoming, adored, and generous member of the Joliet community, where she served as a Deaconess of First Presbyterian Church, a 4H Leader, and a member of The Troy Unit of Will County Homemakers. Together, Lol and Bob built a life of cherished friendships spanning decades, including a weekly fish fry and card game group. As the demands of farm life waned in retirement, they were able to travel and created fond memories during WGN-led trips with Max Armstrong and fellow farmers, visiting much of the United States and Canada.
Lol’s devoted love, Bob, preceded her in death in 2010.
Bob and Lol’s union was one of great love and four beloved farmer’s daughters: Wendy Walker, Lynn Ann McKinven (John), Nancy Waldeck (Thomas), and Patricia Kruse (Steven); and ten cherished grandchildren: Wendy: Candice (Rob Fellows) Gibbons, Joshua Gibbons, Zachary Gibbons, and Ashley Holden (Kevin); Lynn Ann: Kendall McKinven, Walker McKinven, and Saxon McKinven; Patricia: Meredith Erickson (Seth), Katelyn McMahan (Stephen), and Peter Kruse. Her greatest joy was becoming a great grandmother seven times over to Addyson and Declan Holden; Wynne, Sidney, and Sanford Erickson; Lila and Maeve McMahan. She is also survived by her twin brother, Lawton; brother-in-law, Daniel Walker; cousins, Wade Carll and Jan Pogue; and countless nieces, nephews, and the love and admiration of all who knew her generosity and love of life.
Visitation for Laura Walker will be held Monday, August 22, 2022 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 805 Western Avenue, Joliet, where she will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to the First Presbyterian Church for their music ministry would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
