November 23, 1955 - June 26, 2021
On Saturday, June 26th, 2021, Melinda Walker passed away at her home in Las Cruces, NM. She was 65 years old. On November 23rd, 1955, Melinda was born in Las Cruces to Reed and Irva Larsen.
She grew up in Las Cruces, where she excelled in academics and graduated as valedictorian from Las Cruces High School in 1973. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she again demonstrated outstanding academic excellence by graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Med Microbiology and with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. Her dream was to become a physician at a medical research center. In the Spring of 1976, that dream changed forever when Don Walker, another LCHS 1973 graduate, proposed marriage to her during Ring Weekend in Kosciuszko's Garden at West Point. She accepted his proposal partly because she loved men in uniform and partly because he knew how to make her laugh.
Melinda married Don in 1977 at the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, MD. They were happily married for 44 years. During that time, they lived in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Crailsheim, Germany; Wertheim, Germany; Kensington, Maryland; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Melinda was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Melinda had many talents. She became very skilled at gardening and turned her yard into a breathtaking display of flowers and trees. She was a talented seamstress, cake decorator, poet, ceramics artist, pianist, and singer. She also co- wrote numerous inspirational songs with her husband.
In her youth, Melinda worked for The Youth Conservation Corps, McDonald's, White Sands Missile Range (as a clerk) and the NMSU Agricultural Department Lab (as a lab technician).
Melinda was a fierce defender of The Constitution of the United States of America and of The Founding Principles which formed the United States. She loved Independence Day and supported members of the military, including her husband.
Melinda was preceded in death by her father, Reed Larsen; her sister, Sarah Larsen; her oldest daughter, Rachael Tara Walker; and her granddaughter, Lucy Gifford.
Melinda was survived by her husband Donald Walker of Las Cruces, NM; her mother Irva Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; her sons/daughters, Megan (Mike) Rupp of Las Cruces, NM; Heidi (Sam) Gifford of Vail, AZ; Rhett (Kaila) Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Benjamin (Melanie) Walker of San Tan Valley, AZ; Jacob Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Hannah (Eric) Richter of Round Rock, TX; Kelli (Kevin) Breach of Sparks, NV; Amberly (David) Cotton of El Paso, TX. Her brothers and sisters, Lexia (Rick) Gibson of Casa Grande, AZ; Tamara Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; Rodney (Marja) Larsen of Orlando, FL; Whitney (Craig) Davis of Pleasant Grove, UT; Elizabeth (Brad) Hansen of Nibley, UT. Her grandchildren, Hyrum Gifford, Gideon Gifford, Jarom Gifford, Lexia Gifford, Matilda Gifford, Merlyn Rupp, Leora Rupp, Dallin Gifford, Avri Breach, Emma Walker, Ethan Walker, Dean Rupp. Her grandchildren on the way, Preston Breach, Abigail Gifford, and Luke Walker.
A memorial service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The burial followed at the Masonic Cemetery.
Published by Las Cruces Sun News from Jul. 1 to Jul. 4, 2021.
On Saturday, June 26th, 2021, Melinda Walker passed away at her home in Las Cruces, NM. She was 65 years old. On November 23rd, 1955, Melinda was born in Las Cruces to Reed and Irva Larsen.
She grew up in Las Cruces, where she excelled in academics and graduated as valedictorian from Las Cruces High School in 1973. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she again demonstrated outstanding academic excellence by graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Med Microbiology and with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. Her dream was to become a physician at a medical research center. In the Spring of 1976, that dream changed forever when Don Walker, another LCHS 1973 graduate, proposed marriage to her during Ring Weekend in Kosciuszko's Garden at West Point. She accepted his proposal partly because she loved men in uniform and partly because he knew how to make her laugh.
Melinda married Don in 1977 at the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, MD. They were happily married for 44 years. During that time, they lived in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Crailsheim, Germany; Wertheim, Germany; Kensington, Maryland; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Melinda was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Melinda had many talents. She became very skilled at gardening and turned her yard into a breathtaking display of flowers and trees. She was a talented seamstress, cake decorator, poet, ceramics artist, pianist, and singer. She also co- wrote numerous inspirational songs with her husband.
In her youth, Melinda worked for The Youth Conservation Corps, McDonald's, White Sands Missile Range (as a clerk) and the NMSU Agricultural Department Lab (as a lab technician).
Melinda was a fierce defender of The Constitution of the United States of America and of The Founding Principles which formed the United States. She loved Independence Day and supported members of the military, including her husband.
Melinda was preceded in death by her father, Reed Larsen; her sister, Sarah Larsen; her oldest daughter, Rachael Tara Walker; and her granddaughter, Lucy Gifford.
Melinda was survived by her husband Donald Walker of Las Cruces, NM; her mother Irva Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; her sons/daughters, Megan (Mike) Rupp of Las Cruces, NM; Heidi (Sam) Gifford of Vail, AZ; Rhett (Kaila) Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Benjamin (Melanie) Walker of San Tan Valley, AZ; Jacob Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Hannah (Eric) Richter of Round Rock, TX; Kelli (Kevin) Breach of Sparks, NV; Amberly (David) Cotton of El Paso, TX. Her brothers and sisters, Lexia (Rick) Gibson of Casa Grande, AZ; Tamara Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; Rodney (Marja) Larsen of Orlando, FL; Whitney (Craig) Davis of Pleasant Grove, UT; Elizabeth (Brad) Hansen of Nibley, UT. Her grandchildren, Hyrum Gifford, Gideon Gifford, Jarom Gifford, Lexia Gifford, Matilda Gifford, Merlyn Rupp, Leora Rupp, Dallin Gifford, Avri Breach, Emma Walker, Ethan Walker, Dean Rupp. Her grandchildren on the way, Preston Breach, Abigail Gifford, and Luke Walker.
A memorial service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The burial followed at the Masonic Cemetery.
Published by Las Cruces Sun News from Jul. 1 to Jul. 4, 2021.
November 23, 1955 - June 26, 2021
On Saturday, June 26th, 2021, Melinda Walker passed away at her home in Las Cruces, NM. She was 65 years old. On November 23rd, 1955, Melinda was born in Las Cruces to Reed and Irva Larsen.
She grew up in Las Cruces, where she excelled in academics and graduated as valedictorian from Las Cruces High School in 1973. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she again demonstrated outstanding academic excellence by graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Med Microbiology and with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. Her dream was to become a physician at a medical research center. In the Spring of 1976, that dream changed forever when Don Walker, another LCHS 1973 graduate, proposed marriage to her during Ring Weekend in Kosciuszko's Garden at West Point. She accepted his proposal partly because she loved men in uniform and partly because he knew how to make her laugh.
Melinda married Don in 1977 at the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, MD. They were happily married for 44 years. During that time, they lived in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Crailsheim, Germany; Wertheim, Germany; Kensington, Maryland; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Melinda was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Melinda had many talents. She became very skilled at gardening and turned her yard into a breathtaking display of flowers and trees. She was a talented seamstress, cake decorator, poet, ceramics artist, pianist, and singer. She also co- wrote numerous inspirational songs with her husband.
In her youth, Melinda worked for The Youth Conservation Corps, McDonald's, White Sands Missile Range (as a clerk) and the NMSU Agricultural Department Lab (as a lab technician).
Melinda was a fierce defender of The Constitution of the United States of America and of The Founding Principles which formed the United States. She loved Independence Day and supported members of the military, including her husband.
Melinda was preceded in death by her father, Reed Larsen; her sister, Sarah Larsen; her oldest daughter, Rachael Tara Walker; and her granddaughter, Lucy Gifford.
Melinda was survived by her husband Donald Walker of Las Cruces, NM; her mother Irva Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; her sons/daughters, Megan (Mike) Rupp of Las Cruces, NM; Heidi (Sam) Gifford of Vail, AZ; Rhett (Kaila) Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Benjamin (Melanie) Walker of San Tan Valley, AZ; Jacob Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Hannah (Eric) Richter of Round Rock, TX; Kelli (Kevin) Breach of Sparks, NV; Amberly (David) Cotton of El Paso, TX. Her brothers and sisters, Lexia (Rick) Gibson of Casa Grande, AZ; Tamara Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; Rodney (Marja) Larsen of Orlando, FL; Whitney (Craig) Davis of Pleasant Grove, UT; Elizabeth (Brad) Hansen of Nibley, UT. Her grandchildren, Hyrum Gifford, Gideon Gifford, Jarom Gifford, Lexia Gifford, Matilda Gifford, Merlyn Rupp, Leora Rupp, Dallin Gifford, Avri Breach, Emma Walker, Ethan Walker, Dean Rupp. Her grandchildren on the way, Preston Breach, Abigail Gifford, and Luke Walker.
A memorial service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The burial followed at the Masonic Cemetery.
Published by Las Cruces Sun News from Jul. 1 to Jul. 4, 2021.
On Saturday, June 26th, 2021, Melinda Walker passed away at her home in Las Cruces, NM. She was 65 years old. On November 23rd, 1955, Melinda was born in Las Cruces to Reed and Irva Larsen.
She grew up in Las Cruces, where she excelled in academics and graduated as valedictorian from Las Cruces High School in 1973. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she again demonstrated outstanding academic excellence by graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Med Microbiology and with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. Her dream was to become a physician at a medical research center. In the Spring of 1976, that dream changed forever when Don Walker, another LCHS 1973 graduate, proposed marriage to her during Ring Weekend in Kosciuszko's Garden at West Point. She accepted his proposal partly because she loved men in uniform and partly because he knew how to make her laugh.
Melinda married Don in 1977 at the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, MD. They were happily married for 44 years. During that time, they lived in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Crailsheim, Germany; Wertheim, Germany; Kensington, Maryland; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Melinda was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Melinda had many talents. She became very skilled at gardening and turned her yard into a breathtaking display of flowers and trees. She was a talented seamstress, cake decorator, poet, ceramics artist, pianist, and singer. She also co- wrote numerous inspirational songs with her husband.
In her youth, Melinda worked for The Youth Conservation Corps, McDonald's, White Sands Missile Range (as a clerk) and the NMSU Agricultural Department Lab (as a lab technician).
Melinda was a fierce defender of The Constitution of the United States of America and of The Founding Principles which formed the United States. She loved Independence Day and supported members of the military, including her husband.
Melinda was preceded in death by her father, Reed Larsen; her sister, Sarah Larsen; her oldest daughter, Rachael Tara Walker; and her granddaughter, Lucy Gifford.
Melinda was survived by her husband Donald Walker of Las Cruces, NM; her mother Irva Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; her sons/daughters, Megan (Mike) Rupp of Las Cruces, NM; Heidi (Sam) Gifford of Vail, AZ; Rhett (Kaila) Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Benjamin (Melanie) Walker of San Tan Valley, AZ; Jacob Walker of Las Cruces, NM; Hannah (Eric) Richter of Round Rock, TX; Kelli (Kevin) Breach of Sparks, NV; Amberly (David) Cotton of El Paso, TX. Her brothers and sisters, Lexia (Rick) Gibson of Casa Grande, AZ; Tamara Larsen of Las Cruces, NM; Rodney (Marja) Larsen of Orlando, FL; Whitney (Craig) Davis of Pleasant Grove, UT; Elizabeth (Brad) Hansen of Nibley, UT. Her grandchildren, Hyrum Gifford, Gideon Gifford, Jarom Gifford, Lexia Gifford, Matilda Gifford, Merlyn Rupp, Leora Rupp, Dallin Gifford, Avri Breach, Emma Walker, Ethan Walker, Dean Rupp. Her grandchildren on the way, Preston Breach, Abigail Gifford, and Luke Walker.
A memorial service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The burial followed at the Masonic Cemetery.
Published by Las Cruces Sun News from Jul. 1 to Jul. 4, 2021.
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