Rene Walker

Rene Louise Tate Walker passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5th, 2025, at the age of 78 after a short battle with aphasia and dementia. Rene loved adventure and is now on to her next.

Rene was born on July 14, 1947, in Berkeley, California, to Lawrence (Larry) and Aurelia Dorothy (Dot) Tate. Rene’s passion for adventure began with her mother and older sister, Ninette (Williams), accompanying Larry’s Navy career throughout the Pacific and Caribbean following his service in WWII. They lived in Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Japan, and Virginia before settling back into California along with her siblings Matt, Mark, and Dionne-Janette (Dee-Dee). Rene graduated from Norview High School in Norfolk, VA.

Through a family friend in the Navy, Rene passed along a note for him to give to a “lonely sailor,” starting a seven-month pen-pal relationship with Norman Walker. They finally met when Norman’s ship came into the Alameda Navy Base near Oakland, CA, in the fall of 1966. They were married on December 3, 1966, in the Oakland Temple, followed by a honeymoon to Disneyland.

Rene and Norman began their life together in Oakland, where Norman was stationed. It was there they welcomed the first of their seven children. Shortly after, the small family moved into the one-bedroom home on the Walker property in Mount Sterling, Utah, where the next five children expanded the family. A few years later, a larger home was built on the property where the seventh child joined the family. It was in this home that Rene and Norman lived and raised their children until Rene entered the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden, UT, a few short weeks ago.

Rene’s greatest desire was to have and raise children. She invested greatly in the development of her children’s growth and independence. She began teaching her children basic developmental skills of reading and speaking before they could walk. She tirelessly fixed meals, cleaned the house, did laundry, helped with homework, and completed many other tasks needed to run a household. Rene used her skills and donated precious time to help others through teaching Lamaze classes in the evenings with small children in tow.

Rene was fiercely competitive, a trait she passed on to her children. Whether it was a board game, video game, or ping-pong, if you beat Rene, it had to be earned because it was not given. She pressed all her children to be better at what they did.

Rene also enjoyed the more quiet activities of life. She loved reading, studying, watching movies (especially sci-fi), playing board games, working jigsaw puzzles, caring for her animals, hiking, as well as bird and landscape photography. She despised the cold and loved to be where it was warm and sunny. She would frequently visit her parents and siblings in California over the years.

Rene was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved family history, studying the scriptures, and serving in the ward. Her favorite calling was in the Primary and especially being the Primary President. Her service and passion will be greatly missed.

Rene is preceded in death by her parents and older sister. She is survived by her husband and all seven of her children: Sarah (David) Walker-Dutro, David (Andrea) Walker, Daniel (Sharlyn) Walker, Aaron (Melanie) Walker, Rachel (Cody) Olsen, Jacob (Andrea) Walker, and Joshua (Leslie Dawn) Walker; 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Rene is also survived by her three younger siblings.

The family extends a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Hospice and the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home for their wonderful care and concern through Rene’s short stay. We also acknowledge the benevolent hand of God in the many miracles afforded us during the last several weeks.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 9, from 5:00–7:00 PM at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center St., Logan, Utah. A viewing will also be held from 9:30-10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 10, at the Wellsville 10th Ward building at 48 West 1450 South, Wellsville, UT. The funeral services begins at 11:00 AM . Interment will follow at the Wellsville Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com. To send flowers to the family in memory of Rene Louise Tate Walker, please visit our flower store.