Margo Ellen Walter September 11, 1941 - January 7, 2022

Margo Ellen Walter

1941-2022

A kind soul was born to Alvin and Sophie Jones on September 11, 1941 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Margo shared her early years with two sisters and a progressive father who was deeply engaged in her upbringing.  She carried warm memories of those years throughout her lifetime.  Her father’s sudden passing when she was 12 led to an abrupt shift in her family of origin, and soon after she found herself wrapped in the arms of her forever family, the Rattners.  She was blessed with 4 brothers, Gary, Jeff, Larry and Mark and warm, generous parents in Beverly and Raymond.

Graduating from University of Wisconsin as a Teacher of Special Education, Margo set her sights on adventure.  She accepted a position teaching in Manila, Philippines and her love of travel was born.  She explored Southeast Asia and never really stopped traveling.  In her lifetime she visited every continent and all but a handful of countries.  Margo met the love of her life in Charles Russell Walter, Jr. “Chuck “ who was stationed at Clark AFB and they were married stateside in 1968.  Their Air Force life took them from Oahu to Maryland, Biloxi to Washington DC, and finally San Antonio.  Along the way they were joined by two children, Laura “Scout” in 1972 and Charles Russell Walter III “Chad” in 1974.  At each base she adeptly reinvented our home and expertly immersed herself and our family in our new community.  Each place unique, her happiest memories of their time in the Air Force were of Washington DC and the lifelong friendships forged there.  Chuck and Margo dove headfirst into civilian life in 1984, moving the family to La Canada Flintridge, CA.  Years of  teaching and tutoring students in the family home ensued, all while juggling being a marching band mom and pony club mom.  How she managed it all is still mind boggling!  The kids grew up and headed off to their own lives, Chuck and Margo moved to Indian Wells, CA, and they traveled and traveled and traveled some more.  They had a serious wanderlust!

After decades of following Chuck’s career moves she took the lead in 2002, declaring that they were moving to Boise to join Scout’s young family.  Buying a home just blocks from their grandchildren Aiden and Isabel, Margo was smitten.  She celebrated every moment she enjoyed with Aiden and Issie, teaching them about the world around them and making it all fun.  Boise was her perfect match in a community and she delighted in immersing herself in all the arts and culture here..especially the Idaho Botanical Garden, BAM, The Cabin, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, BCT, Ballet Idaho, and Boise Philharmonic.  Margo served on the board of the Eagle Public Library, volunteered at Seven Oaks Elementary School, played Bunco and joined Book Club.  Tutoring young students in her home, though, was her life’s work.  She cherished her connection with her students and loved watching them grow up and thrive.  Our community is a  better place for her having been here.  She was truly one of a kind and is so very missed.

Margo is survived by her children Scout (Sean) O’Gara and Charles (Karen) Walter, grandchildren Aiden & Isabel O’Gara and Charles Walter, her mom Beverly, brothers Gary, Jeff, Larry & Mark, her nieces and nephews and her sister Roberta.

“Try to be a rainbow in Some’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou

Services to celebrate her life will be held at 2pm on January 18, 2022 at  St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boise.  Interment will be on January 25, 2022 at 11am at the Idaho Veteran’s Cemetery.  Due to rising Covid numbers there will not be a reception at this time.  In lieu of flowers we ask you consider donating to your local public school, public library, The Cabin or the Idaho Botanical Garden.

To watch the funeral service, please visit: https://youtu.be/sQ5cVTwJriM

To watch the committal service, please visit: https://vimeo.com/669944336

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.