Margaret Jean Walters

     Margaret ‘Jean’ Walters, 90, of Boone, Iowa, and formerly of Ackley, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the West Haven Community Nursing Home in Boone, Iowa. Funeral services for Margaret Walters will be 10:30 am Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at the St. John’s United Church of Christ; 713 3rd Ave.; Ackley, Iowa 50601. Visitation for Margaret Jean Walters will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at the Linn’s Funeral Home Chapel in Ackley; 903 Cerro Gordo; Ackley, Iowa 50601. Memorials may be sent to: Margaret Walters Memorial; c/o Linn’s Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, IA 50126. Any memorials received by the family will be sent to either St. John’s UCC in Ackley or West Haven Community in Boone in her memory. The Linn’s Funeral Home in Ackley is helping the family with the arrangements. For further information please visit linnsfuneralhome.com.

     Margaret Jean Walters was born on April 15, 1927, in Eldora, Iowa, to Clyde and Ruth [Hayes] Sheldon. She grew up on the farm with her two younger sisters, Barbara and Judy. She was a graduate of Eldora High School. After high school she attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and earned her teaching degree for elementary education. She taught Kindergarten in Jesup, Iowa. Jean married Marvin Walters from Eldora, Iowa, on September 6, 1947. They farmed in Eldora and raised three children: Vicky, Diane, and Kirk. While on the farm she enjoyed gardening and sewing. In 1957 they moved to Ackley, Iowa, and established the Tip Top Drive-In. They also had the Tip Top Drive-In in Parkersburg and The Polar Bar, a soda fountain, in downtown Ackley. The Tip Top was replaced by the Big Chief in 1970. Jean baked homemade pies and cakes for the restaurant. She had many wonderful memories of friends, family and employees from nearly 50 years of the family business. Jean also taught first and third grade in the elementary school in Aplington School District. Her dream came true when Marvin built Jean her Little Red Pre-School in 1970. She loved working with the preschoolers and always had many stories to share about her experiences with them. Jean was an active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, the Garden Club, the Waterloo Area Wood Carvers Club and bridge club. She had beautiful flower gardens and loved working outdoors. She enjoyed artistic endeavors and had taken many classes on painting, basket weaving, machine knitting, and wood carving. She attended and showed her carvings at area shows winning multiple awards.

     Margaret Jean Walters is survived by her daughter Vicky [Doug] Van Dyke of Boone, Iowa; Diane [Tim] Ryan of The Woodlands, Texas, and Kirk [Lynn] Walters of Mingo, Iowa; grandchildren Jason Van Dyke of Johnston, Iowa; Debbie [Eric] Butler of Fate Texas, Carrie [Luke] Crosland of Highland Park, Texas, Lacey [Chris] Gordon of Iowa Falls, Iowa and Colleen Walters of Iowa Falls; great-grandchildren: Logan and Aubrey Butler, Hunter Ryan, Kayleigh Van Dyke, Elli and Jack Van Dyke, Sophie and Dexter Gordon, Braxton Dozier, and other family members Steve Botham [Stephanie Davison] of Plant City, Florida, Chris [Jess] Cramblit, Cain and Caidence Cramblit, Brad [Michelle] Cramblit, George Cramblit, Carrol [Lacey] Cramblit, Presley, Lane and Everly Cramblit, and Tricia [Steve] Phalen, Cohen and Couver Phalen. Jean Walters is also survived by her two sisters: Barbara Heller of Fort Collins, Colorado and Judy [Lavern] Maisel of Hubbard, Iowa, and nieces and nephews. Two brothers-in-law: Bill [Sandra] Walters of Marshalltown, Iowa and Gary Walters of Eldora, Iowa, and a sister-in-law Barb Walters of Storm Lake, Iowa.

     Margaret Jean Walters was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughters Erin Van Dyke and Jenny Ryan, and brothers and sisters-in-law: George and Dorothy Goschke, Lucille Harrington, Bob and Faith Walters, Pat Walters, Ruth Walters, and Ron Walters.