With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ross Walker, 74,.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew him best.
Ross entered this world in 1940 — the start of a journey that would span 75 years.
There are losses that teach us the weight of a life.
Ross Walker, 74, a native of Hurley, SD died Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Hospice of the Valley in Chandler, AZ. A public Masonic Service will be at 7:00pm Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the Hurley Legion Hall, Hurley followed by a time of fellowship, with burial with military honors to precede services at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Chapel, Hurley. Ross B. Walker was born November 1, 1940 to Kenneth and Bluebell Walker at Graceville, MN. As a child, he lived in rural Wilmot, SD, Oklahoma City, OK, and St Paul, MN. In 1943, he moved to the McKercher family farm in rural Parker, SD. He lived there until 1963 when he moved to his own farm a mile up the road. His farm life was interrupted by serving in the US Army from March 1960 to April 1962. He attended rural Consolidated #2 grade school and graduated from Hurley High School in 1958. On August 5, 1978 he married Ardis (Van Hove) Rippe, and enjoyed being a husband and stepfather to her two daughters Jonda and Sonya. Ross became active in the Hurley American Legion, serving as Commander and on the firing squad. He also joined the Hurley Masonic Lodge and Chapter, serving as Worshipful Master and High Priest, and Sioux Falls Commandery. He also belonged to El Riad Shrine and Hurley Eastern Star but demitted after several years. In January 1995 a change in life was made with the sale of the farm and a move to Sioux Falls, SD. From there he moved in May of 2000 to sunny Arizona for a life out of the cold and snow. In Sun Lakes, AZ he joined the United Church of Christ and stayed active there on the Mission Board and Sound. He became an avid baseball fan in his later years and had a lifelong love for country music. Glad to have shared their lives with him are his wife Ardis, stepdaughters Jonda (John) Heckel of Shakopee, MN and Sonya Rippe of Eagan, MN, brother Larry Walker of Merlin, OR, niece Risa Bak of Yankton, SD, niece Terresa (Jeff) Patterson of Sandy Lake, PA, and niece Kristie Walker of Colorado Springs , CO. Granddaughters: Elizabeth, Rachel and Sarah Ross was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marcene Bak, and nephew Ross Bak. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley in Chandler, AZ.
