Margaret (Brunemeier) Walters 2002

Lifelong Burlington resident, Margaret L. Walters, died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002, at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. She was 81 years old.  Margaret Louise Brunemeier was born in a rural home northwest of Burlington, on April 19, 1921. She was blessed with parents, Philip and Margaret Korthas Brunemeier; two sisters, Violet and Rozella; one brother, Kenneth; and four half brothers, Arthur, Ralph William and David.   Philip moved the family to Loveland in 1932 where employment was available.

After graduation from Loveland High School in 1940, Margaret returned to Burlington where brother Art lived. She met Frank Junior Walters at a barn dance that summer. Their courtship was postponed four years as Frank served in the U.S. Army during WWII. During those years, Margaret worked as a waitress at the Golden Lantern in Denver. As true love would have it, Margaret and Frank were united in marriage on Dec. 26, 1944, in Denver.  Within a year, the newlyweds moved to the Walters' homestead northwest of Burlington where they farmed and ranched for 52 years. In 1950, their first daughter Carole Sue was born, Shirlene Lou  in 1952, and Connie Rae in 1955.

Margaret dedicated her life to school and church activities as well as 4-H leader.  She was also a life member of the VFW Auxiliary and held many offices and currently was the treasurer. She loved the earth and gardening. She and Frank owned a farm and ranch northwest of Burlington. With fabric to be sewn, vegetables to be canned, stationery to be made, and quilts to be quilted, crafts to be crafted many hours were filled with projects she created with her hands. Margaret's passion for crafts and hobbies brought joy and comfort to her family and friends.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. During her lifetime, she held membership at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Burlington, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bethune.  In 1997 they moved into Burlington where she resided until the age of 81.

Margaret is survived by her husband Frank; daughters Carole, Shirlene and Coinne; sons-in-law Henry Huppe, Steve Cramer, and John Bunge; seven grandchildren Karla and Kyle Huppe, Scott, Shawn, and Shane Cramer, and Eric and Breanna Bunge; and brothers Kenneth and William Brunemeier.

On Sept. 17, the day she entered into eternal life, she was struggling with the decision of her demanding health care concerns. Faced with the option of moving closer to one of her children, some of her last words were: "There are so many wonderful people in Burlington, and I love them all!"  Her family and friends will always remember her as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, relative and friend for all time.  A memorial has been established at The Bank of Burlington in Margaret's name to the Home Health Department at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital.  Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, 10:30 a.m. at the First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Burlington. Pastor Wesley Dunbar and Pastor John Bunge officiated. Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Love Funeral Home in Burlington.