Mamie Walton

Mamie "Mama Bear" WaltonMamie Claudine Walton, aka "Mama Bear", age 84, of Clearbrook, MN, passed away on December 14th at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23rd, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston with the Rev. Bob Kelly officiating. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com. Mamie was born November 17, 1935 in Honey Grove, Texas to Claude Hershal Smith and Mamie Mae Mildred Martin.She grew up in Honey Grove, Texas traveling up and down Route 66 with her family. She loved sharing stories of how she grew up picking cotton and working in the fruit orchards as they traveled through Texas and New Mexico but her favorite story of all was how she met the love of her life while living in Oregon. All that loved her knew that story.On June 23, 1951, she married the love of her life, Thad "Hank" Walton in Ashland, Oregon. A match made in heaven. Mamie and Thad lived in Williams and Cave Junction, Oregon. While Thad was on the road providing for his family, Mamie was home keeping the home fires burning taking care of all their 10 baby bears.In 1974, Mamie and Thad moved to Gully, Minnesota where they resided until they moved to Clearbrook, Minnesota in 1982. Mamie loved working in the garden, pampering everyone from her children, to pets, neighbors and those in need. She was a completely selfless person. Everyone was welcome in their home. In 2011, Mamie lost the love of her life, Thad. They had 60 years together. Eventually, Mama Bear connected with a beloved family friend, Peter. They have had 5 wonderful years together. Mamie is remembered as a truly caring, giving woman with lots of spunk. We will all miss seeing her cruising up and down the road in her yellow Hummer wearing one of her funky hats.Mamie is survived by her special friend, Peter; and nine children, Carol Sauer of Grants Pass, OR; Kathryn (Donald) Geray of Mahnomen, MN; Margaret (Franklin) Buer of Trail, MN; Samuel (Dorothy) Walton of Gully, MN; Peter Walton of Gully, MN; Anna (Harold) Sweno of Gully, MN; Joseph (Krista) Walton of Trail, MN; Jacob (Marti) Walton of Grants Pass, OR; and Sarah (Michael) Emery of Leonard, MN; 26 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband, Thad; daughter, Viola Lynn Walton; sister Frances Walls; brother Daniel Smith; mother Mamie Smith; and father Claude Smith.