Marilyn Marie (Hiller) Walker

Marilyn Marie Walker

February 29, 1936 - July 1, 2025

Marilyn Walker’s life encompassed a world of global experiences, a lifelong commitment to learning, and inspiring relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her living example improved lives for generations through her quiet force and her rallying cry of ‘A leap forward, a new adventure.’ 

She embodied a rare combination of intellect, drive, compassion, and a sense of humor that rose spontaneously. For example, Jerry and Marilyn were traveling in Patagonia, enjoying the Andes Mountains and its pristine geography of fjords, rainforests, and glaciers. One day, a grimy group of bedraggled hikers came into the village. Marilyn dug into her backpack and handed each young man an energy bar, telling them, “This is from the mothers of the world.” She no doubt also evaluated their lack of preparation without judgment, assuming it was simply due to being, as she put it, ‘young and dumb’ and that they would grow out of it. She applied this patient understanding to all, and especially her four children. 

Born in Milwaukee, she grew up in a bungalow on 38th Street. Her parents were hard-working, of German descent, and keenly aware of Marilyn’s intellectual gifts. She maintained a dedication to getting things done, whether it was personally, for her family, or for the community. Those close to her will remember the full-size yellow legal pad always visible on her counter – each line filled with all the things she wanted to do and all the steps needed to get there. And she had the brains and the will to do exactly that. Marilyn defined perseverance, or, as her husband would joke, it was really due to the stubborn characteristics of her German heritage. 

Marilyn’s passion for knowledge always kept her at the top of her class. However, she also understood that to experience more, she would need to earn some money. So she learned typing and shorthand to secure work in high school. In fact, in later years, she encouraged each of her kids and grandkids to master typing and worked with them to practice. (She was also known to tell the kids, “There must be a plan A, B, C, and D.”) 

As a young woman, her practical skills expanded to include bookkeeping for a local dry cleaning company, where her duties included handling complaints from customers, some of whom seemed to lose a sock or handkerchief on every order — an experience that honed her ability to understand people. After that, she was compelled by a desire to explore, which led her to become a flight attendant. She never lost the spirit to explore life beyond Milwaukee. 

She paid for her education and graduated with a degree in Dental Hygiene from Marquette University. Working for local dentists, she met a young dental student who was doing lab work while in school. Jerry Walker was the love of her life and the perfect partner in all ways.

Professionally, Marilyn worked as a Hygienist in the family Dental office, and evolved her role to run the business while Jerry mastered his skills as a world-class Prosthodontist. They were an amazing team. Beyond work, he got her to ski, hike, and even take in a stray dog from time to time. She managed to get them both excited to attend numerous lectures and symphonies, and eat healthy foods.  With Jerry, she traveled to five continents and a thousand local places, each diligently researched for authenticity, historical value, and connection to the community. Before each trip, she learned the basics of the language to try to immerse herself a little deeper in the local culture.

With the business in place and the kids more independent, it was Marilyn’s time to return to her pursuit of knowledge. She received a B.A. from Cardinal Stritch College, followed by an M.A. in History from UWM. This led to her work with Historic Milwaukee as a researcher and acting President, creating architectural tours and fighting for the preservation of significant architectural buildings and spaces. One of her noteworthy proposals saved from demolition the 1880s pioneering engineering feat, the Milwaukee River Flushing Station on Lincoln Memorial Drive. Gaining designation as a National Historic Landmark, the reclaimed mixed-use space retained its functionality. It evolved into the Collectivo Coffee space within and around that historic Cream City brick building. The victory was entirely fitting, as Jerry loved coffee, and one of Marilyn’s favorite early travel experiences was her first cappuccino in Rome. Marilyn continued to enjoy a cappuccino and biscotti at the flushing station with Jerry, and after his passing in 2023, with friends and family.  

For over two decades, she led a German language and culture group. Up until the weeks before her passing, she remained actively engaged, taking courses at UWM and organizing discussion groups on historical and contemporary events.

In her final weeks, three generations of family rolled in for simple outings and visits, and a final drive-in cheeseburger, a tradition she and Jerry cherished.  Marilyn Walker died Tuesday, July 1, from complications of late-stage cancer. She will be remembered by the actions she lived by: Speak to what moves you. Stay fiercely independent. Be capable. Be driven by intellectual curiosity. As Marilyn would say, ‘Onward!’.

Pre-deceased by her husband, Jerry Walker; her parents, Marvin and Margaret Hiller, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is survived by her sister, Leila Collins (Dale) and brother, Murph Hiller (Chris); four children, Jeff Walker (Chelli), Todd Walker (ChunHong), Chris Walker (Van) and Jill Haberman (Steven); grandchildren, Xanthia Walker (Shane), Alex Walker (Kate), Natalie Walker-Taylor (Derek), Ben Vandenberg (Ally), Lucy Walker, Erik Walker; great-grandchildren Beck Taylor, Charlotte Taylor, Allison Walker-Yohay, and  Archimedes Sky Walker; and many nieces and nephews who reside in the Midwest and Western regions.

Private family service at Holy Cross Cemetery.

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