During the dark days of the Great Depression, especially the Dust Bowl, and World War II, Gertrude would prepare a pot of beans and maybe some meat the night before. She would take the pot to her class room the following morning where it would simmer then would serve it to her students at lunch. Gertrude would later say that her beans were probably the only hot and nutritious meal many of her kids would receive.

Following her husband’s death, Gertrude completed her BA in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1958 (she taught in the classroom for forty years without a college degree) then traveled the world. Gertrude officially retired from teaching in 1963; however she did substitute work for both GCPS as well as the Catholic School where she was affectionately known as "Sister Gertrude". She almost landed herself a role in the 1967 movie “In Cold Blood” and became friends with the actor Will Geer.

Mrs. Walker suffered a stroke shortly after attending the annual Arbor Day ceremony in 1976. She shoveled a spade full of dirt for a tree planted in her honor at her beloved school then collapsed. Hundreds of Garden City residents lined Main Street as the funeral procession carried her body to Valley View Cemetery to be laid to rest next to her husband John.

All photos in this biography were donated by the Walker family.

Gertrude Walker Elementary