Iva Bell Walker

Nov. 2, 1919 – Nov. 1, 2014

A beautiful wife, mother and best friend died on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin.

[caption id="attachment_9435" align="alignright" width="226"] Iva Bell Walker[/caption]

Iva Bell Walker was born on Nov. 2, 1919, in Salt Creek, Wyo., to Amos Charles and Jennie (Pederson) Kanavle. Her family had the first grocery store in Baggs.  Iva was in the orphanage in Casper at a young age until she was 18. While there, she always helped in the nursery.

Iva made her home in Thermopolis, where she raised her family. She loved taking care of not only her children, but also her grandchildren and also babysat other children during the day. She enjoyed watching soap operas and crocheting. She had a great love of God, family and friends.

Iva was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Walker; parents Amos Charles Kanavle and Jennie Franklin Reschke; two sons, Lonnie and James Allen; three sisters, Gladys, Georgia and Virginia and one brother, Charles Kanavle.

Iva is survived by her children: Donald (Judy) Ellis of Burtchville, Mich., John (Nancy) Ellis of Frannie, Ronald (Melony) Ellis of Frannie, LaVera Hinckley of Billings, David (Marie) Allen of Waterford, Mich., Daniel Allen of Florence, Colo., Deborah (Ryan) Amick of Ten Sleep, Georgia (Jim) Davis of Riverton, Fred Walker of Powell and Pennie Hartbank of Cheyenne; 29 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Atwood Family Chapel, 419 West C Street in Basin, from 1 to 5 p.m.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Riverside Cemetery in Thermopolis at 2 p.m., with burial to follow the service.

Memorials in Iva’s name can be sent to the Wyoming Pioneer Home, 141 Pioneer Home Drive, Thermopolis, WY 82443 or to the Wyoming Retirement Center, 890 U.S. Highway 20 South, Basin, WY 82410. Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc. assisted the family with arrangements.