Merwyn Frederick Walker

Merwyn was born on a farm near Atlantic, Iowa, the first child of Anna and Harry Walker and brother to his sisters Marjorie and Ruby. His upbringing on the farm had a tremendous influence on him and often brought back fond memories that he loved to share, right up to the end. It also helped form his strong work ethic and sense of honesty. Educated in a one room school until he attended high school ""in town"", Merwyn thrived on learning. He left farm life for a brief experience with politics at the Iowa State House. He married a local woman, Vernita Jewett, and went to work for National Biscuit Company where he worked for 37 years before retiring. During those years he progressed from delivery man to the position of National Divisional Manager for the company. He, Vernita, and their two daughters, Kay and Linda, moved with each promotion, living in DesMoines, Iowa; Duluth and then Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kansas City; Chicago; and finally returning to Minneapolis where he lived until he moved to Denver, in 2005. Following Vernita's death and his retirement, Merwyn renewed his acquaintance with Dorothy Doyle, a widow whose husband had been a friend and fellow employee of his at Nabisco, and they were married in December of 1973. They enjoyed traveling, but not surprisingly, Merwyn wasn't quite ready to retire. He began a second career working as a starter, then in the pro shop and later the assistant manager of the Braemar Golf Course in Edina, MN where he continued to work for 20 years. He most loved the camaraderie with fellow employees and golfers alike and once again developed friendships that would follow him through his life. Actually, he never fully retired. He got great pleasure from ""helping out"" at the Bonsai Nursery in Englewood operated by daughter Linda, Ron, and Ron's family. He was always looking for something to do, whether it be potting roses, tagging trees, watering or filing...and he did it right up until the end. In his 99 years, Merwyn saw travel evolve from horseback to jets. Communication evolved from pen and ink on paper hand-delivered to the recipient to the internet. A few things did not change for Merwyn, however. His love and respect for others, his independent spirit, and the need to remain in touch with the world followed him until his death…as he had hoped it would. All those who knew him, even if only briefly, were touched by his inherent good nature and spirit. He will be missed by all who knew him. Merwyn is survived by his daughter Kay Rasmussen and her husband George of Plymouth, MA and his daughter Linda Malik and her husband Ron who reside in Denver; his grandchildren: Jill Hawkins and her husband Erik of Stratham, NH, Mark Rasmussen and his wife Tonya of Encinitas, CA, and Jenny Hubbard and her husband Tom of Braintree, MA; and his great grandchildren: Ben and Lily Hawkins, Brooke and Jack Hubbard, and his newest great grandson, Cayden Walker Rasmussen. Private services to be held. Family requests memorial remembrances to Porter Hospice Foundation, 7995 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 204, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (303) 715-7615.