Rachel Jane Walker, 91, of Walla Walla, Wash. died March 19, 2009.

She was born October 24, 1917, in Wallowa to William E. and Laura B. Johnson. She grew up in the Wallowa area and graduated from Wallowa High School in 1936. After graduation she worked at the Wallowa County Creamery and at the Wallowa Post Office for two years.

She met Samuel Dean Walker at a USO dance in Pendleton during WWII. They were married April 28, 1942, in Hammondsville, Ohio. During her husband’s 24-year military career, they lived various places around the United States and overseas. She especially enjoyed living in Weisbaden, Germany, for three years. Sam retired from the military in 1963, and the couple moved to Walla Walla, Wash. by way of Albuquerque, N.M.

Rachel’s greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family and many relatives. She loved going back to the Wallowa Valley and camping on the property shared with her sisters and brothers on the Promise Road, north of Wallowa.

She is survived by her husband at home; son and daughter-in-law, Larry (Opal) Walker of Walla Walla, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Merrily (Joe) Lillard of Clarkston, Wash.; two sisters, Ruth Abbott of Yucaipa, Calif. and June Johnson of Dufur, Ore.; one brother, Dr. Theodore Johnson of Seattle, Wash.; sisters-in-law Nona Mae (Walter) Johnson of Spokane, Wash. and Erma (William) Johnson of Coupeville, Wash.; three grandchildren and their spouses: Diann Walker-Gambill (Greg) of Marysville, Wash., Thomas Walker (Wendy) of Roaring Branch, Penn., and Amanda Walker (Rocco Graziana) of New Castle, England.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law Bonnie (Martin) Wilkening, Ruby (Orin) Morgan, Nancy (Clarence) Coyle and Roberta (Max) Bird; brothers Dr. Walter Johnson and Dr. William E. Johnson; and brother-in-law Maclyn Abbott, husband of Ruth.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Wash.. Rachel’s ashes will be scattered, according to her wishes, on the family property in Wallowa at a later date.