Mary Ellen Walter, 79, of Lanark, IL, passed away on June 10, 2024 at home. She was born on March 21, 1945 at St. Francis Hospital in Freeport, IL, to LaVerne Straub and Eleanor (Johnson) Straub. She was a high school graduate with vocational CNA schooling. She married Leslie Walter on May 20, 1966 in Lanark, IL. She was a homemaker until her children were grown, then managed Express Lane, plus many odd jobs, including Green Giant Factory in Lanark. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lanark, IL, and Relief Corps.

She was a very loving and caring woman. She loved to crochet and go camping with family and friends. She also loved her dogs and cats throughout the years. She carried a big heart and tried to make everyone laugh and smile. Family and friends were her main concern before anything else, and always remembered birthdays with a card or text.

Survivors include her son Michael Walter (Tanya Holloway) of Beloit, daughter Deborah (Jaime) Rudy of Freeport, grandson Spencer Rudy (Lucy Schneiders) of Freeport, Tyler Rudy and Austin LaBudde, who were like grandsons, sister Dorothy Shearer of Lanark, special friends: Heather Miller and June Smith; niece Karen (Mike) Reynolds, niece Teri Schall, niece Sherry Hubbard, nephew Larry (Darla) Hubbard, nephew Brad (Dana) Hubbard, nephew Melvin (Becky) Hubbard, and nephew Jerry (Jeanne) Moshure.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leslie, mother and father LaVerne and Eleanor Straub, nephew Richard Hubbard, nephew Art Moshure, and nephew Bill Schall.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday June 22, 2024, from 11 AM – 2 PM, at the United Methodist Church of Lanark.

A memorial has been established in her name.