Franklin James Walker

Funeral services for Franklin J. Walker, age 85, of Albert Lea will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday February 25, 2013 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden. The Rev. Greg Ofsdahl will officiate.  Interment will be in the Alden Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2 – 4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Franklin died on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea.
Franklin James Walker was born on September 6, 1927 in Albert Lea, the son of Lyman T. and Ethel M. (Envoldsen) Walker. He grew up on the family farm in Alden and graduated from Alden High School in 1945. After graduation he farmed with his father and custom-bailed hay. On February 26, 1949 Franklin was united in marriage to Genevieve Lucille Marsh at Grace Lutheran Church.  He then began farming on his own near Alden, until 1984, when he retired from farming.  Franklin was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and was chairman of the building committee for the education wing. Franklin served on the Alden Area Development Committee. In 1984 they moved to Albert Lea. He worked at the Albert Lea Clinic as a custodian, drove cars for Albert Lea dealerships and assisted his son in planting soybeans for research plots.
He and his wife enjoyed the “Walker Week” family vacation for the last 28 years. Education was very important to Franklin and he was proud that his children all had college educations. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and most of all spending time with his family; especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Genevieve; children Alan (Elise) Walker of Amery, WI, Kerry (Ned) Froehlich of Maple Grove, Barb (Paul) Kujak of River Falls, WI, and Beth (Marty) Heimer of Kasson; grandchildren Margot (Joshua) Harris, Nathan (Katherine) Walker, Andrea (Steven) McMaster, Jon (Leah) Froehlich, Michael Kujak, Amy Kujak, David Kujak, Zachariah Heimer, Jacob Heimer, and Lucas Heimer; great-grandchildren Sawyer, Eva, Isaac, Noah, Samuel, Bennett, Erin, Karis, and Anna; sisters Lorraine Provo and Joan (Harold) Germann; sister-in-law Virginia Lepage; and several nieces and nephews.
Franklin was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers-in-law Don Provo and Robert Lepage.
Memorials are preferred to Redeemer Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.