Berniece Walker

Berniece Eddie Walker, 91, of Rigby, ID passed away surrounded by her children at Sage Grove Care Center on February 14, 2016. She was born on December 10, 1924 in Lyman, ID to Burton LeRoy and Reigh McIntier Gardner and was the second child of five siblings. She grew up and worked alongside her father and her sister Afton on the family farm and was taught by her father to play the guitar and sing. She sang and played guitar at many funerals and social events in the valley, often harmonizing with her sister Afton. In 1941, Berniece was married to Lloyd Edwin Eddie who preceded her in death in Labelle, ID, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. She later married Gerald Walker of Lewisville, who also preceded her in death. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of her favorite callings were teaching children in Primary, singing in the choir, and teaching young women. Berniece loved to wallpaper and decorate her home and passed that love down to her children and grandchildren. One of her many talents included sewing, and she designed many of her children’s clothes. Fishing and camping with her family were favorite recreational activities, and she hosted many Labor Day weekend parties with over 100 family members attending. She loved and adored her grandchildren and made them all feel special. They loved going to her home to get haircuts and perms in her basement, to fish in her ditch, and to make hollyhock dolls. She is survived by a brother, Richard (Dixie) Gardner of Idaho Falls and also her children; Gloria (Keneth L-deceased) Brown of Rigby, ID; Linda (Kenneth) Olsen of Coltman, ID; Marilyn (Kay) Ferguson of Ririe, ID; Jerry (Sheri) Eddie of Pocatello, ID; Douglas (Kaye) Eddie of Overton, NV; 22 grandchildren, 80 great grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings Afton Barnes, Joyce Andrews and Kent Gardner. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Perry Ward LDS Chapel, 285 2nd W Ririe, ID. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street Rigby, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.