Marilyn Louise (Allensworth) Walker

Marilyn Louise (Allensworth) Walker, of La Grange, left this world to be with our Heavenly Father on Thursday, July 30, 2020. She was 86 years, 5 months, and 5 days old.

Marilyn was born in Davenport, Iowa, to Winthrop and Ethel (Pilcher) Allensworth on Feb. 25, 1934.

She lived in Wapello, Iowa, and helped her family in their restaurant business. Her family eventually moved to Kalona, Iowa, and it was there that she met her future husband, Tom. After high school, she worked in a dental office and then for her future father-in-law in the Kalona U.S. Post Office. When she married Tom on Aug. 14, 1954, Marilyn began her life as the wife of a teacher and coach in Shenandoah, Iowa. In the summer of 1963, Tom moved the family to Texas to continue his teaching and coaching career. During this time Marilyn was a devoted mother of five and a homemaker. Tom eventually found his way to Schulenburg, and once all five children were in school, Marilyn spent the next few years as a teacher’s aide in the Schulenburg school district. Tom and Marilyn then moved to the New Braunfels area to follow Tom’s career. While there, Marilyn was a teacher’s aide in the Mountain Valley Elementary School in Comal ISD, and then at St. James Catholic School. She also worked at the Legg’s, Hanes, Bali Outlet store. When Tom retired, they moved to La Grange, where Marilyn closed out her career as an afterschool care provider at Sacred Heart Catholic School.

Marilyn was a beautiful wife, devoted mother, and cherished grandmother. She earned several nicknames as her family grew, including Baca Mama, Grandma Marilyn, Grandma Lemon, MeeMaw, G-ma, Grandma Darlin’ and Oma. She loved traveling around the United States on camping trips and attending family reunions in the summer. The trips often included the families of her sister Patty Spreacker and brother John Allensworth. Marilyn could bake a mean German Chocolate cake and a melt-in-your-mouth pecan pie, both of which were Tom’s favorites. Christmastime was special to her, and her family would gather at her home for fun, feasting and festivities. She loved to “hide” presents around the house and give “clues,” so the children had to search for the gifts. Each summer many of her grandchildren would take swimming lessons for three weeks while staying with her in New Braunfels, which are some of the grandkids’ most treasured memories. Marilyn was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange and was devoted to our Blessed Mother.

Marilyn is survived by Tom, husband of 65 years, and five children: Theresa “Terri” Wagner (Bill) of La Grange, Doug Walker (Mary Sue) of Corpus Christi, Jolene Byrd (Marshall) of La Grange, Renee Walker of San Antonio, and Kevin Walker of Buda. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Ramona Glisson (David), Rhea Wagner, Regina Walker (Shane), Rhianna Said (Karim), Sean Walker (Teresa), Lindsay Walker (Jacob Sanchez), Ashley Byrd, Laurie Byrd, Carroll “Tre’” Parker III (Christi), Brittany Wiatrek (David), and Ethan Walker, Dylan Walker and Austin Walker. Thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren also survive Marilyn: Emily Villalpando (daughter Mabry and son Dax), Elyse and Ely Glisson, Kamry Ledesma, Kelli-Taylor Evenson and Kolby Walker, Ramzi, Rasha and Rami Said, Ryan and Merritt Walker, and Rylee and Blakelee Wiatrek. Marilyn is also survived by brother John Allensworth (Jaci) of Mesa, Ariz., brother-in-law Mike Brenneman, two sisters-in-law Regina “Jeannie” Jones (Myron) and Virginia Allensworth, all of Kalona, Iowe, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Winthrop and Ethel (Pilcher) Allensworth; brother Rex Allensworth; sister Eleanor Thorton and husband Kenneth; sister Patricia Spreacker and husband Howard; nephews Ronnie and Charles Thorton. She was also preceded in death by inlaws Herman (Chet) and Catherine Walker; sister-in-law Frances Kelley and husband Donald; sister-in-law Margaret Brenneman; and brother-in-law Patrick Walker.

Visitation was held on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020 from noon to 6 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange. The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. A rosary was recited at 6 p.m.

A funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, with burial at 3 p.m. in the St. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in New Braunfels.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School, PO Box 548, La Grange, TX 78945; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908; Ronald Mc Donald House, 3312 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042; or a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations 208 W. Pearl, La Grange. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.