Charles Walker

Charles Harris Walker, age 89, of Pembina passed away Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the VA Hospital, Fargo, ND. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pembina Pioneer United Methodist Church, Pembina, ND. Visitation on Friday, November 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service at the church in Pembina. Arrangements with Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Kern-Thompson Legion Post #77, Pembina American Legion.
Charles was born May 5, 1920, in Pembina to John Gordon and Gladys (Harris) Walker.
In 1941, while attending NDSU he met and married Lorraine Tweeden. He served in the US Army with the 164th Infantry in the Pacific Campaign, earning the rank of Major. Chuck was the recipient of two silver stars, one with a two oak leaf cluster, a bronze star, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with three bronze stars, Phillippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star. After the war, he farmed in the Pembina area. He later spent ten years as a bush pilot in Canada. He married Hetty McKelvie (Koch) and has resided in Pembina since 1970. Charles served twelve years as Pembina County Commissioner. His love of life included flying, reading, gardening, and writing - publishing three historically accurate books about the military and pioneering in the Red River Valley.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Hetty; children, Karen Walker, Fargo, Laurie (Tom) Schulz, Crystal, ND, Dawn (Dean Leas) Walker, Boulder City, NV, Shelly (Don) Bjerk, Nucla, CO, John (Cathi Sharp) Walker, Grand Junction, CO; sisters-in-law, Paulien (Don) Bainbridge Atikokan Ontario, Mabel Koch, Winnipeg Manitoba; grandchildren: Ryan (Kayla) Schulz, Lakeville, MN, Katie Schulz, Plymouth, MN, Justin Schulz and Fiancee, Lindsay Gilleshammer, Crystal, ND, Krissy Schulz, Crystal, ND, Jesse Bjerk and Stacy Bjerk, Nucla Colorado, Rett Sharp, Pembroke GA, Rori Higman, Rowan Higman, and Rylor Walker, all of Grand Junction CO; great grandson, Nathan Gilleshammer, Crystal, ND, niece Dona Sue Wilkins of Kansas City MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jack Wilkins, niece Cara Jo, son Gary, and daughter Paula.
Clergy: Rev. Gary Johnson and Jeff Keller.
Military Rites: Kern-Thompson Post #77, Pembina American Legion.
Honorary Pallbearers: Members of the U.S. Army 164th Infantry.
Online guestbook at www.askewfuneralhome.com