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Esther Walker experienced a combination of tears, joy and surprise at this year's Home Products Dinner, when she was named Citizen of the Year.
"It's such a humbling experience," Walker said. "That's the main thing I thought was how humble I felt getting an award like that."
Walker said when they began reading information about who the person was that had been selected, it didn't take her long to figure out who was getting the honor.
"It didn't take me very long to figure out they were talking about me," Walker said, "especially when they mentioned my birthday."
Walker said the committee had sent her an invitation to attend this year's event, but she has gotten one of them before.
"They send you an invitation and have you sign it and turn it back in as to whether or not you will be there," she said. "I have gotten invitations before, but you always wonder, 'why am I getting an invitation?' A friend of mine who somehow knew about it was kind of hinting to me."
Walker stressed again that it is a humbling experience.
"It's all the Lord as far as I'm concerned," Walker said. "He allow me and enables me to do what I do."
Her husband, Marshall, was also a recipient of the Citizen of the Year award in 1976. Marshall passed away "20 some years ago", Walker said. When he passed away, Walker needed more to do.
"He was 22 and a half years older than me," Walker said. "I knew when I married him that he would probably pass before I did. Since he passed away and my oldest great grandson moved after living with me for four years - I've been by myself. I have time to do things, so I try to do whatever I feel the Lord is putting in front of me to do. What a blessing that He gives me the strength and energy to get out and do things."
Walker grew up in Wichita County. She has lived in Ulysses since 1964.
"I came here to teach first grade," Walker said. "Later on I got married and thought I would retire, but then I started teaching fifth grade in Johnson. I taught 29 years of kindergarten - I loved kindergarten."
Walker said working with the kids is one of her passions.
"I loved working with the kids," she said, adding with a laugh, "I don't know if I really taught them anything, I couldn't get them to shut up long enough."
Walker grew up in a teaching family, both of her parents were teachers.
"I grew up in a wonderful Christian home on a farm - daddy farmed for years," she said. "Both momma and daddy taught school, too. Back in the day, you could teach if you had a high school diploma and took a test."
Her family feels education is important, and some were working on it at the same time.
"My brother graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Hays in January 1962," Walker said. "His wife got her's in June 1962. I got my Bachelor's Degree in June 1962 from Greenville College in Illinois - I felt that's where the Lord wanted me to go. Both of our parents got their Bachelor Degrees in August 1962 and my brother got his Master's Degree."
In 1998, Walker's life changed.
"The doctors said my husband had only a few weeks to live because he had congestive heart failure at the time," she said. "So, I said I'm retiring to take care of him. I did, but the Lord healed his congestive heart failure enough at the time that we were able to have four and a half more years together."
A World War II veteran, Marshall Walker was one of those who were sent to Pearl Harbor to assist with the "clean up" following the bombing in 1941. Walker said "it was hard for him" to do as his ship was one of the ones hit.
"He was so active in the community here," Walker said. "He was the County Agent for 35 years and did a lot with that. He helped people set up sound systems He learned how to do that in World War II. He was chairman of the Methodist church board, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce - he was in so many things."
Marshall passed away in 2002.
"A month and a half after he passed, I got my oldest great grandson to raise," Walker said. "I couldn't have taken care of both of them at once. Teaching kindergarten, though, I felt I knew what had to be done to raise a 6-year-old."
Walker said staying busy is something "a lot of people" do.
"There are people who are taking care of their families, their spouses - they are as busy as I am," she said. "I am involved in a lot of stuff, now but when I get home pretty much all I do is sit."
Her "busy" today is not the same as it once was.
"It's a different kind of busy," she said. "I don't understand why some people don't want to stay busy and find things to do. One of my sons is getting ready to retire and he has already put in a job application for Home Depot - he likes to stay busy."
It is a trait her husband, Marshall, shared, and the reason for his award as Citizen of the Year in 1976.
"He was involved in a lot," she said. "We each had our own things going on at that time. I was involved in 4-H, teaching, church and raising our kids."
Marshall had three boys when the two married in 1966. The two had a daughter together.
As for how long she will continue to be "busy" Walker said it's not in her control. She had originally thought she would continue teaching as a substitute until she turned 80; however, when she turned 77, her body said "no".
"I'm amazed at the good health the good Lord has granted me," she said. "I realize some people younger than me are not in as good of health as I am. I think staying busy helps your mental state a lot, but it's all up to the good Lord. I've been blessed so many times in so many ways and I still am of course."
What does Walker recommend for others?
"Organizations such as Lions Club (of which she is still an active member) need more members," she said. "Get out and be more involved in your community. When you get involved you get a sense of joy and get to be around people. Get involved in your church - give your heart to the Lord and the best thing we can do is accept Him as our Saviour and serve Him. Don't just sit back and say 'okay I've made it' after you accept him, - get out and serve. See what is available that is of interest to you."
Walker's daughter, who lives in Portland, Ore., was contacted by the committee and wrote a letter for them to read at the dinner after Walker was presented her award. Her children have all told her they are proud of her recent honor. And, she feels Marshall would "be proud of her."
"I am very touched by all of the congratulations, well wishes and gifts I have received - it really touches my heart," Walker said. "I will continue doing what I am as long as the good Lord gives me the strength and energy to do it. I'm still humbled by the award - I can't believe it."
Grant County is the place to be.
"People kind of look out for you here," Walker said. "The people here are great. It's a great place to live, to worship - it's the place to be."
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