Ruth Walker

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Ruth Walker was an extraordinary woman whose family was first and foremost in her heart. With the love of her life by her side for more than 50 years, she established successful businesses in the community she called home throughout the majority of her lifetime. A more tenderhearted and caring wife and mother would be hard to find as Ruth fully devoted her efforts to providing a wonderful life for her family. She possessed an abiding faith that served as the compass she used to direct her steps and the shelter from the storms that threatened to envelop her. The memories Ruth leaves behind will be forever held near and dear to the hearts of all who knew her. By the dawn of 1924, it was a great time to be an American as prosperity reigned in both the business and industrial sectors fueled by innovation that seemed limitless. This was the height of Broadway and the rebirth of American baseball and with the end of the silent film era, the fabric of our culture would never be the same. This was a year that boasted of great joy for one bustling family from Williamsville, Missouri, as they were pleased to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl on January 7th. Ruth Eva was welcomed into the arms of her parents, Walter and Hattie (Stamper) Adkins, and was the seventh of eleven children in her family. The family moved around a lot during the trying years of the Great Depression, finally settling in Newberry, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula where her father managed a lumber camp. Since her mother worked as well, Ruth took on most of the cooking duties and with such a large family, this was no easy feat. After Ruth finished high school their family moved to Muskegon. Once there, Ruth found work at Muskegon Piston Ring and later at Continental Motors where many women worked during WWII. It was during this time that her sister, Bess, set her up with the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Robert Walker and he also worked at Continental Motors. They stared dating, often dancing to the music of the big bands that came to town, and it wasnt long before the couple fell deeply in love. With a desire to build a life together, Ruth and Bob were united in marriage on August 11, 1945. The couple was thrilled to become parents with the birth of Sandra in 1947, Robert II in 1948, and David in 1950. The family settled into a home on Franklin Street, and Bob became a reporter for the Muskegon Chronicle. Ruth went to Dotsons Beauty School and became a beautician. She worked for a salon for a short time, but later opened up a beauty shop of her own. Ruths shop was called the Parisienne, and she took care of all the hair while Bob ran things on the business end. They eventually opened seven different shops in the Muskegon area. Although Ruth always enjoyed doing hair, she eventually moved to just managing the shops that later expanded to include womens fashions with the main shop remaining in Muskegon Heights. As the years went by they sold some of their shops and finally retired during the eighties. Family was always the most important part of life to Ruth. The family was members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church where all of the Walker children were confirmed. For a time they kept a trailer on Wolf Lake near Baldwin where fun filled family times occurred. Ruth was a great cook who always had dinner on the table for her family every night. There were memorable family get-togethers every Sunday as their children grew older and established families of their own. Ruth always filled their table with more than enough food to go around and according to Bob, no meal was complete without dessert. During the summer months they usually gathered at Davids house on Duck Lake, and Ruth and Bob always hosted the gatherings during the winter. Not only were Ruth and Bob together in their business, but they were true partners in every sense of the word. They liked going bowling and dancing together, and they had a boat for a time as well and liked to fish on Lake Michigan. Saturday nights found Ruth and Bob at the movies and since he was partial to homemade popcorn, Ruth always smuggled some in for him. During their retirement years Ruth took up golf and frequented the Hickory Knoll Golf Course. They wintered in Florida for a few years but later switched to Brownsville, Texas, since it wasnt so crowded as they didnt like to wait to get on the golf course. During the sunset of her life Ruth faced times of great trial amidst the great joys. Ruth was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband in 1999. She continued to live on her own in their house for a few years, eventually moving to Park Terrace Apartments. She liked it there and regularly attended church services and played bingo quite often winning, too. Ruth and some of her friends often took trips to the Little River Casino where Ruth usually had great luck on the Lucky Seven slot machines. She stayed busy reading and renting movies, and she loved regular visits from her children and grandchildren. Ruth was given a tough pill to swallow with the deaths of both of her sons within a short period of time Robert in 2006 and David in 2007. The days following their deaths were understandably difficult for her, but she gained strength from both her faith and the love of her family and friends. A woman who was content in all things, Ruth Walker was a woman of faith whose life exemplifies what it means to be a woman of true beauty. She was resilient and carried herself with a quiet strength that is to be admired. Ruth deeply loved those around her and changed the lives of future generations for years to come through the unconditional love and acceptance she gave to her children and grandchildren. Together with her husband, Ruth provided a living example of what marriage is intended to be. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Ruth E. Walker died on Monday, June 27, 2011. Ruths family includes her daughter, Sandy (Pete) Wolters; daughter-in-law, Janet Walker; granddaughters, Lisa (Andy) Hoffman, Jennifer (Bob) Cross, Susan Walker; grandsons, David Walker II, Robert Walker III; great grandchildren, Loren Hoffman, Mason Hoffman, Estella Ruth Cross; brother, Claude Adkins; sister, Iris Roland; sister-in-law, Evelyn Adkins; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Sr.; sons, Robert II several brothers and sisters. A private Family service will be held. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. Visit with Ruths family on Wednesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.