Martha Jane Olson Walker

Martha Jane Olson Walker, 63, died peacefully in her sleep from complications of kidney disease, while in hospice care in her home, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021.

Martha spent much of her childhood surrounded by natural beauty as her father was a naturalist for the National Park Service Bighorn Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Death Valley were her childhood playgrounds. She graduated high school while her dad was assigned to Death Valley in 1977.

She was born Nov. 23, 1958, in Slayton, Minn., to Virgil and Helen Olson. She married Ron Walker on April 25, 1981. They made their home in the Minneapolis area.

Martha worked at Unisys Defense Systems from 1978 to 1995. She had an eye for detail.

Two children, Anthony and Dustin, were born to Martha and Ron while they lived in the Minneapolis area.

Martha and Ron loved visiting her parents at their mountain home in Jasper, Colo. In 1996 Martha, Ron and the boys relocated from Eagan, Minn., to Monte Vista, Colo. Martha retrained to become a certified nursing assistant. She worked at Home Lake Veterans' Center for nearly 20 years. She was personable and understanding with her patients. Martha was easy-going and especially loved raising her sons. She and Ron drove their boys from one end of Colorado to the other for their sporting events. She adored their many dogs and ­cats, goats, chickens and even a horse.

Though she was an outdoorsy, country girl, she also loved fashion and make-up. She could rock platform high heels with the best of them. She relaxed in the evening by playing solitaire and doing word puzzles.

Martha was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Steven and Andrew and her parents Helen (Minehart) and Virgil Olson.

She is survived by her husband Ron Walker Monte Vista, Colo., and her sons Anthony Walker (Stephanie) Monte Vista, Colo.; and Dustin Walker Alamosa, Colo.; her sister Jenny Lowe Monte Vista, Colo.; and brother Jeffrey Olson Spokane, Wash.; niece Kristin Loney (Brian), Ariz.; and Andrew Olson (Beth) Spokane, Wash.

All of these she loved and touched deeply. She will be dearly missed.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice del Valle visit /hospicedelvalle.org/donate.