Bertha “Bert” Walker, 98, of La Grange, formerly of Shorewood, Illinois; Tucson, Arizona; and Chicago, died peacefully on July 17, 2026. She grew up in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood. As a young girl, she developed a love of music and became an accomplished piano player. As a teenager, she pursued her passion for clothing design and dressmaking by attending Washburne Trade School, graduating in 1945.
She married the love of her life, Stephen Walker, in 1948. Together they built a loving home and shared 62 years of marriage. While raising their three children, Bertha never lost sight of her dream of working in the fashion industry.
That dream became reality when she accepted a position managing alterations at a boutique in Chicago’s Ambassador East Hotel. Her talent, dedication, and exceptional eye for fit led to an opportunity to oversee the fitting and alterations department at Saks Fifth Avenue on Michigan Avenue. After 10 years there, she accepted the position of Head Fitter at Ultimo in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Following her retirement, Bert and Steve bought an RV and roamed the USA before deciding to settle in Tucson, Arizona, where she founded The Silver Spurs Line Dancing Club. Under her direction, the group performed at numerous community events, proudly wearing costumes that Bertha designed and sewed.
She loved bowling, organizing parties, decorating her home, and bringing people together. She took great pride in organizing the annual Markus Clan Christmas gatherings and summer family reunion picnics in the Chicago forest preserves. She was also an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She and her girlfriends often traveled to other cities to watch the Cubs play. One of her most cherished memories was meeting and hanging out with Ron Santo and Glenn Beckert at a hotel bar.
Bert was the wife of the late Stephen Walker; the mother of Sandra (John) Karuschak, Steven (Salliann) Walker, and the late Carol (the late Donald) Ivins; the grandmother of Shawn (Adrian Molitor) Walker, Erin (C’Aira Shields) Walker, Anna (Michael McKnight) Marin, Aniele Hawkins, Todd (Dulce) Ivins, Curt Ivins, and Elliot Ivins; the great-grandmother of Tlaloc Gutierrez, Xochitl Marin, August Molitor, Eli Hawkins, Ava Hawkins, Evi Ivins and Madi Boor.
Visitation will be held on July 23 from 9 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st St., Brookfield. The funeral procession will follow the service to Acacia Park Cemetery in Norridge for interment.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Bert’s memory.