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Saturday's Internet Edition, 12:05 AM, July 31, 2010.
Former RM resident Maxine Walter passes away
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Maxine W. Walter
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Former longtime Rancho Murieta resident Maxine W. Walter passed away on June 20, 2010 after being injured in a car accident with a dear friend.
Mrs. Walter was born on May 17, 1927 in Bowdle, South Dakota to George and Lena Weishaar. She grew up on a farm with her sister, Sally and attended a one-room schoolhouse. She lived a hard-working but fun-loving life.
In 1944, she moved with her family to California where she met the love of her life, Don Walter. They married in 1947. The couple shared 47 active years of marriage together, doing volunteer work, playing golf, traveling, sailing and raising a daughter, Sandy.
Mrs. Walter loved - and was gifted at - being a homemaker and wife. She always cared about those around her and extended her hand in love. She knew what it meant to be a good friend to many.
Mrs. Walter served on hospital guilds, cancer support groups, Meals on Wheels, kindergarten classes and anywhere else she saw a need. She was an excellent bridge player and avid reader.
In 1983, the Walters retired to Rancho Murieta, where they continued their active life with many friends. In 1994, the love of her life lost a valiant battle against cancer. Mrs. Walter remained in Rancho Murieta with friends and in the church she loved - Rancho Murieta Community Church - where she served for many years. In 2008, Mrs. Walter moved to Wenatchee, Wash. to live closer to her beloved family. She was a member of the Eastmont Presbyterian Church in East Wenatchee.
Surviving Mrs. Walter are daughter Sandy Brunner and her husband Jay; Nigel and Nicole Hunter (granddaughter), and great-grandchildren Noah, Daniel and Genevieve Maxine Hunter.
The family said they have been blessed daily by her close presence during these last two years. "We are grateful that the Lord gave us this time with her before He called her home," they said.
Mrs. Walter requested that any memorials in her name be given to Lighthouse Christian Ministries, 526 South Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801.
Wilton resident Donald Connor dies at 95
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Photo by Fran Soto
Wilton resident Donald Conner, seated next to his wife Elma in 2008 at the Wilton History Group annual History Day event, passed away June 4, 2010 after a long illness. He was 95.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Longtime Wilton resident Donald Conner died June 4 following a long illness. He was 95. Mr. Conner, whose family came to Wilton in the 1850s, was born April 28, 1915 in the family home on Clay Station Road. He graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1933 and from Sacramento City College in 1935.
In 1940, he married Elma Arlene Stout, also born and raised in Wilton. “He was a man of few words, physically strong and yet such a tender person,” his family said. “A genuine person, kind-hearted, intelligent, honest and dedicated.”
Mr. Conner almost his entire life in Wilton and was well known and respected throughout the Wilton community. Many fondly referred to him as the "Mayor of Wilton." A community-minded resident, he served on Dillard Elementary School District Board of Trustees and was a commissioner with the Wilton Fire Protection Department Board. He was also a trustee on the Elk Grove Unified School District Board.
As a member of one of Wilton’s founding families, Wilton resident Gene Rose said Mr. Connor had a strong sense of history of both the area and his family. “Donald Conner had a really good feeling about the history of his family and has been involved with the Wilton History Group (WHG) since its inception,” said Rose. “He has contributed numerous photos and documents to the WHG archives.”
According to Rose, Mr. Conner also had a great sense of humor. “When we were taking a picture of him in front of the home where he was born, I asked him when the house was built,” Rose said. “He replied, ‘How would I know, I wasn’t born yet.’”
Mr. Conner was one of the privileged few whose life spanned the 20th century and who personally experienced the transition of Wilton from a farming and ranching community to the community it is today. He is remembered as a person who enjoyed reminiscing about his growing up years. His family said he talked about the games he played in his younger years, riding his horse and driving the horse and buggy to school so his brother Lowell and sister Virginia had a ride.
He is also remembered for his stories about meeting his future wife when he was just 7 years old when his family called on the Stout family to meet their new baby, Elma Arlene. He enjoyed recalling growing up without electricity, helping his father milk the cows and attending dances and functions at the still standing Wilton Hall at the intersection of Green and Wilton roads.
After he and Elma were married, Mr. Conner worked on dredgers in Folsom and the Mother Lode for a few years before the couple returned to Wilton. He then opened the Conner Feed Store, which was located next to the Wilton Hall. He later expanded the business to include fertilizer. Mr. Connor operated this business until he retired. During his leisure time, he enjoyed watching sports and spending time with his family.
Mr. Conner was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Lowell Conner, sister Virginia Roberts and daughters Carolyn and Charlene Conner. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Elma Conner of Wilton; children Sharon Eaton of Ukiah, Dr. Gary Conner and wife Susan of Elk Grove and Steve Conner and wife Mary of Wilton; eight grandchildren, Donald Schmidt, Lauri Monnette, Sara Hogan, Kenny Easton, Michael Eaton, Kristin Conner, Steven Conner and Luke Conner; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Over 200 friends and family attended services held Tuesday, June 8. Interment was at Elk Grove District Cemetery.
Descendent of Dillard family of Wilton dies at 76
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Photo courtesy to the River Valley Times
Emogene (Jeannie) Womack, a descendent of the original Dillard family of Wilton, died May 25 after a brief battle with cancer.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Emogene (Jeannie) Womack, a direct descendent of the original Dillard family of Wilton, died May 25 after a brief battle with cancer. She was 76.
Mrs. Womack was born and raised in Wilton and resided in Elk Grove at the time of her death. She married her high school sweetheart, Norman Womack in 1951, and the couple resided on the Dillard family dairy.
Mrs. Womack was the sister of Wilton resident Shirley Jackson, who fondly remembers the years growing up with her sister on their parents’ dairy farm located across the street from the present day Wilton Fire District Station 81. “When we were growing up, the Dillard School was where the fire station is now,” Jackson said. “I remember we used to go home at lunch to move the irrigation. I remember there were lots of chores to do.”
Mrs. Womack led an active and busy life. As the young mother of four children, she participated in numerous youth activities including serving for four years as a den mother, a Girl Scout leader and helping with the Elk Grove Swim Team and Little League.
She is remembered by many for her years associated with the Elk Grove Western Festival. Since 1974, she had served many terms as both president and parade chair, and in some years served in both capacities. According to granddaughter Heather Womack Ludlow, Mrs. Womack worked at the parade for so long because she loved to see the children’s faces light up with big smiles. Co-festival worker Norm DeYoung added, “I worked with Jeannie for seven very wonderful years. She was always on top of it and so good at bringing diverse groups together. She ran a beautiful ship for close to 40 years, and I will miss her.”
In 1978 and 1994, Elk Grove named her as its Citizen of the Year, and the Cosumnes Community Services District dedicated a park in her name.
Mrs. Womack worked at the Data Center of the California State Department of Health and Welfare and retired in 1990. Her husband retired in 1990, and the couple spent those retirement years traveling, fishing and staying at the family cabin in Bodega Bay.
As a descendent of the Dillard family, Mrs. Womack was a part of Wilton’s early farming and ranching heritage. The Dillard family arrived by covered wagon in 1852, having traveled from Littlerock, Arkansas. They first settled in the Arno area.
Mrs. Womack’s grandfather, Columbus W. Dillard, was one of the sons born to the Dillards and is remembered as the namesake for Dillard Road and Dillard Elementary School. He served as trustee of the Dillard School District. He and his wife, Emma, purchased the dairy on Dillard Road in 1905, where Mrs. Womack’s father, Walter Dillard grew up. Later, he took over operations.
Many of the original buildings still stand at the site of the dairy, except for the house Mrs. Womack shared with her husband, which is now gone.
Mrs. Womack is survived by her husband Norman of Elk Grove; children David Womack and wife Gail and Phillip Womack and wife Peg, all of Elk Grove; Debbie Baker and husband Bob of Wilton; and Pam Epps and husband Paul of Acampo.
She is also survived by grandchildren and their spouses who include Heather and Jesse Ludlow; Robert and Robin Womack; Felicia and Anthony Suine; Matthew Womack; Amber and Josh Baker; Ellen and Ron Dynes; Mike and Linda Youngblood; David and Hope Youngblood; Miranda Baker; Michael Baker; Rebecca Chan; and Jennifer and Nathan Lambson. She is also survived by sister Shirley Dillard Jackson and her husband John of Wilton.
Mrs. Womack was aunt to Janna and Tracy Jackson and Brian Womack and was a great grandmother of 20.
Services were held Saturday, May 29 at East Lawn Elk Grove Mortuary Chapel with interment in East Lawn Memorial Park.
Doris Burke of Rancho Murieta dies at 73
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Doris Rae Burke
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Longtime Rancho Murieta resident Doris Burke, 73, went home to her Father May 23, 2010. She was born August 26, 1936.
Mrs. Burke and her husband Francis “Jerry” Burke raised their four children in San Jose, Calif., where they lived for years. She was an active member there of St. Victor’s parish and served on the Alter Society. Mrs. Burke worked for the priests and sat with many members of the church (and their families) during illness.
The Burkes retired to Rancho Murieta in 1989 and immediately became active in social committees and the community.
Mrs. Burke was proceeded in death by her husband and is survived by her sons Steve of Antelope and Greg of San Jose; daughters Sharon Smith of Salem, Indiana and Monica Jansen of Lynden, Washington; and 10 grandchildren: Ryan, Matthew, Nathan and Madison Burke; Brandon and Michael Smith; and Cory, Cody Brittney and Jake Kingston.
Mrs. Burke was admired as someone who loved her family and helped everyone in need who came across her path. She will be forever remembered and missed.
There will be a funeral mass held at the Rancho Murieta St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church on June 9 at 11 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Murieta Village Clubhouse. Donations will go to the Red Cross.
ARCHIVE OF RECENT OBITUARIES
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