62°F
weather icon Clear

Walkers celebrate 60th anniversary with reception

A good sense of humor, consideration of each other's feelings and the ability to work together on anything is what Don and Barbara Walker of Boulder City credit for their long and happy marriage.

The two will mark their 60th anniversary Friday, with a variety of celebrations with family and friends Saturday.

"We feel very blessed to be able to spend this many years together," Barbara said on a recent afternoon. "Sixty years, I don't know where the time went."

"Our marriage vows were 'Till death do you part.' Barbara and I took that seriously. We didn't get married with our fingers crossed," Don added.

The Walkers are inviting friends and area residents to join them during a reception Saturday afternoon to celebrate. The festivities are scheduled from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the library and commons area at The Homestead of Boulder City, 1401 Medical Park Drive.

The Walkers have lived in Boulder City for 21 years, where he was active with Emergency Aid of Boulder City and the Country Store at Grace Community Church. Barbara also has been active with church activities, having served as a deacon and pianist for the choir.

Don and Barbara met at the University of Idaho where they were both attending summer classes, although they had known about each other through their participation in the school's band. It was a square dance at the university where there "became more acquainted" and started their courtship, Don said.

After marrying, they moved to the Walker family farm in Payette, Idaho, where they stayed a few years before returning to the university so Don could get a degree in agriculture. While there, Barbara obtained her master's in music education.

After a few more years on the farm, it became apparent that it wasn't large enough to support three families (Don and Barbara, his parents and his brother, Norman, and his wife.)

Don obtained a job with the Bureau of Reclamation and they moved to Salem, Ore., where he worked as an agriculture economist and then a study coordinator. Barbara taught piano and raised their two daughters, Susan and Karen.

Susan lives in Atco, N.J., with her husband Steven Marrano. Karen and her husband, Ken Watanabe, live in Windsor, Colo.; they have one son.

The Walkers were in Salem for about 10 years before moving to Spokane, Wash., and Washington, D.C., where Don worked as a water contract and repayment specialist for the bureau.

According to Don, it was while riding in a carpool with his co-workers that he first learned about Boulder City. His co-workers had grown up in the West and were eager to return.

Boulder City seemed like a good place for the Walkers, and they moved West.

"It's the longest (we stayed) in any one place," Barbara said.

The two said they have enjoyed the community. In addition to their work with Emergency Aid and the church, they have volunteered with Lend A Hand.

"We had our ups and downs like most people do, but we worked through them," Barbara said.

Don agreed. He recalled a time before he and Barbara married when he was talking with a friend about what they wanted in their wives. While the friend said he wanted to dominant his wife, Don said the idea "struck me kind of funny. My answer to him was 'I'd rather be a partner.' "

That's exactly what the two said they have done all their lives: build and maintain a strong partnership.

Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Reframing language in mental health

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

A busy day at Mitchell Elementary

Thursday, April 17, 2025 was an especially magical day at Mitchell Elementary.

Annual Junior Ranger Day goes off as a hit

Junior Ranger Day is all about “inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards and connecting our community with Lake Mead in a fun, hands-on way,” Park Ranger Max Dotson said.

New tradition starts at King Elementary

Nearly a decade ago, a longstanding tradition at King Elementary came to an end.

Where passion meets performance

BCHS has many performing and fine art programs to meet the needs of our very talented youth in Boulder City.

All that jazz

Saturday, the Las Vegas Jazz Society and Boulder City Friends of the Library hosted an afternoon of jazz music in the library’s amphitheater. More than 100 people turned out for the free concert.

Mitchell proud to be Leader In Me Lighthouse School

It is so great to see our students back in school this week after spring break. As we head into this last quarter of the school year, it is an important time to reflect on the year as we begin planning for next year.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists ask, “What matters to you?” instead of “What’s the matter with you?”

All Aboard!

This past weekend, the Boulder City Parks and Recreation gym played host to the Spring Model Train Show. There, hobby enthusiasts bought, sold and displayed their trains.