Obituary of Ellen Victoria Walker

Ellen Victoria Walker passed away on November 8, 2018 in Concow, California. When Lon Walker first met Ellen Walker for a lunch date in the late 1980s, he was immediately taken by her grace and kindness, as well as the sweet voice she used for singing in church choirs. "She was 100 percent a lady," said Lon Walker about Ellen, 73 who in 1988 became his second wife. 

Ellen, a native of St. Helena, was a medical transcriptionist and Lon a truck driver. Both were divorced and parents of grown children, but overcame "baggage" to make a life together - first in Sacramento and Tracy, then in a small house in the woods in Concow. Ellen Walker died when the Camp Fire tore through their neighborhood. Lon Walker last saw his wife in their bed about 3:00 a.m November 8 when he left for a job hauling lumber. She was asleep and likely huddled with their calico, Amber, her favorite among their four cats and two dogs. Lon believes Ellen had trouble evacuating due to her fibromyalgia and other health conditions. Only one of their pets, a terrier mix named Jack, survived the fire. Lon Walker said it was Ellen's idea to move to Concow, and the couple treasured their nearly two acres of pear and almond trees, the roses Ellen tended, and the birds, squirrels and other animals that passed through. Lon said he had planned to soon end his driving gigs so he could be with Ellen full time. They also enjoyed their "rituals": church on Sundays and lunch dates after Ellen's weekly hair appointments. Another ritual was saying "I love you" before going to bed. "She was a loving person," Lon said. "She looked over a lot of faults this old man had. We had a very comfortable relationship in the last years. I was looking forward to being there for her, as she was for me." 

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 4:00 PM at the Golden Feather Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3861 Detlow Road, Oroville, California. Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.