Beverly J. Walker

MADISON - Beverly Jean (Olson) Walker, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024, at Talamore Senior Living in Sun Prairie.  

Beverly “Bev” was the second of five daughters born to Edward and Katherine (Reusch) Olson. Bev graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1950, very proud to be the school’s head cheerleader.  Following graduation, she worked at Oscar Mayer & Company and became acquainted with Eunice Walker, who would become her mother-in-law.  Beverly and Eugene “Gene” Walker were married in August of 1951 and raised five children in Madison, Wis.    

While raising a family of five children, Bev started her career as a bookkeeper for Garrett Construction. She returned to school late in her career, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lakeland College in 1992.  She finished her career in 1997, as a Pension Specialist for Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

Bev enjoyed many creative pursuits including sewing, crocheting, ceramics, and making Christmas wreaths and ornaments. She was most comfortable outside in the yard, caring for her flowers and plants. She also enjoyed social events, including going out dancing with Gene and their friends in their early years, organizing block parties with the neighbors, and an annual Labor Day camping trip to Willow Mill Campground with the same group of family friends for many years.

Bev developed a great passion for the Veterans of Wisconsin and served as an active volunteer with Badger Honor Flight, including being invited herself to accompany a group of veterans on one flight to Washington, D.C.  Bev was also passionate about the Navy survivors aboard the USS Indianapolis whose lifejackets made from milkweed floss helped them survive days in the waters after being torpedoed in 1945. Bev was one of many school children who picked milkweed needed to make those life jackets during the war. Bev’s memories of the War lead her to bring the story of the kapok life jackets to others through a copyrighted video, “An Untold Story, American Milkweed Called to War.”

Bev was also a great fan of Wisconsin Badgers football and a season ticket holder for many years.  She attended games at Camp Randall into her 80s and honored the team at her 90th birthday party by requesting that all attendees wear Badger red!  She loved that Badger red color so much that she and her husband, Gene, purchased a classic convertible Badger red car and made many trips with the Convertible Classic Club. Bev continued the tradition even after Gene passed.

Beverly will be dearly missed by her five children, Eugene “Bud” Jr. (Kathy), Pamela (Tom Potter), Randy (Jacquelyn), Dennis and Vicki (Mark Dustrude); 10 grandchildren, Mark, Angela, Philip, Sarah, Krista, Tricia, Catherine, Kevin, Henry and Hannah; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; parents, Edward and Katherine; and four sisters, Bernadine, Patricia, Mary Lou and Ardys.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 North Sherman Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 27, 2024. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Badger Honor Flight of Madison, Wis.

The family wishes to thank the loving and caring staff of the Talamore Memory Care team at Talamore Senior Living, Sun Prairie for their wonderful care of “Grandma.”  

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420