Elizabeth Walsh

Betty (Heimer) Walsh, 92 of Austin passed away on Friday, October 2nd at Mayo Health System-Austin. Betty was born September 25, 1923 in Stacyville, Iowa to Anton (Tony) and Julia (Goergen) Heimer. She grew up on a farm on Minnesota and Iowa state border with German as primary language prior to attending school in Johnsburg and Adams, Minnesota. In 1940 Betty met Roger the young man who became “the love of her life”, and waited for him for over 5 years while he served in the military during WW II. Upon his return, Roger and Betty married September 29, 1945. They were never apart again until Roger passed away on May 24th of this year. This past Tuesday, September 29th, would have been their 70th wedding anniversary! Betty moved to Austin during the war to work at Hormel in the “dairy pack” department, and continued there until the birth of her first child. Most importantly she was the mother to seven children, Betty balanced this role while also working at the Dinner Bell restaurant and for many years at Landherr Drug store. She was a member and active volunteer of Queen of Angels for over 50 years until later joining the parish of St. Augustine. She was an active member of the Sacred Heart Auxiliary until her death and over her life time volunteering there brought her great joy. Betty was an avid gardener, with large plots of both vegetables and flowers, sharing this bounty with neighbors, family and clergy over the years. In addition, Betty and Roger traveled extensively with multiple trips to Europe, most US states including Hawaii and Alaska, across Canada and Caribbean islands. One trip they recalled most vividly was being in Cuba on New Year’s eve 1959…returning just one day prior to the fall of that country to the Castro led revolution! Betty is survived by 4 daughters and 2 sons; Nancy (Craig) Welken, Plymouth, Daryl (Susan) Walsh, Plymouth, Gayle (Michael Martello) Walsh, Pacific Grove, California, Allyn (Sheila) Walsh, Rochester, Sarah (Mike) Landherr, Austin, Jayne (Mark) Schneider, Apple Valley; 14 grandchildren, and 9 great-children; as well as brother’s Herbert Heimer, Coon Rapids and Dennis Heimer, Mazeppa and sister Mary Thome, Adams and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved spouse Roger, by her parents; daughter Janel, grandson Alex; four brothers and one sister. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. There will be a visitation at Mayer Funeral Home on Tuesday evening where friends may call from 5 – 7 pm, with a prayer service at 6:45. Visitation also will be held one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Augustine Church, Queen of Angels Church, Sacred Heart Care Center, or a charity of donor’s choice.

Service Information

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
4th Drive SW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Tuesday, October 6 2015
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW P.O. Box 27
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Wednesday, October 7 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Augustine Catholic Church
405 4th Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Service

Wednesday, October 7 2015
11:00 AM

St. Augustine Catholic Church
405 4th Street NW
Austin MN 55912