Our beautiful, incredible Mother, Alice Jane (A.J.) Walter can be summed up in two words: grace and dignity.  On January 30, 2025, A.J. took flight with the angels.

We were blessed to call her our Mom, but even more blessed that we have so many friends who adopted her as “Mom A.J.”  She touched the lives of so many people, it is almost hard to fathom at times.  She was a friend, teacher, mentor, 4-H leader, sorority and fraternity house mom, confidant and friend.  In all of these roles, she had a special gift, not just teaching, but listening.  A.J. took the time to listen to people and then figure out how she could help or guide them.

She was born March 13, 1937 to James and Lura Forrest in Manchester, Iowa.  A.J. attended Iowa Teachers College for her teaching certificate, Upper Iowa University for her Bachelors, and Loras College where she received her Masters of English.

In addition to teaching at Guttenberg High School, she also taught at Iowa State University and DMACC. She was very involved with 4-H at the county, state and national levels, and was honored as a national 4-H Salute to Excellence recipient.  She was selected by Governor Bob Ray for the Iowa Family Farm Development Authority, and served on the National LCMS Farm Crisis Council during the 1980s farm crisis period.  She was an active member of the Clayton County and Iowa Pork Producers, and IO-DIS-E-CA Lutheran Camp Board.

She was an adventurer who traveled the world physically and through the countless books she read. She explored the Scottish Highlands, took students to England to learn about Shakespeare, traveled to the Holy Land and throughout Europe, took the train across Canada, and cruised to Alaska, with her epic adventure being the summer she taught English in China.  She loved to learn, she loved seeing the world and turning those adventures into teaching opportunities.

AJ was diagnosed with both a form of Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinsons in her late 60s. She made up her mind early on that she would control her life, not the diseases.  With grace and dignity, she kept her strength up and fought back every step of the way.

Alice-Jane is survived by her sister, Margette Leanna, Newburyport, MA, her children Christine (Chuck) Cornelius, Andrew, IA; JuliAnne (John) Thomas, Nehalem, OR; and John (Teresa) Walter, Sumner, IA.  She was an amazing grandmother to seven grandchildren and five great-grand children.  She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Lura Forrest; great-aunt, Stella Forrest; her husband, Vernon Walter; and her brother-in-law, Robert Leanna.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:30 A.M., Monday, February 3, 2025, at Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, Iowa.  Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10 A.M. to 11:15 A.M. at the church.  Cremation has taken place.  The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to the staff at Clover Ridge Place, Hospice of Jackson County and the private care team who took such tremendous care of her.

In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make donations to the Iowa 4-H Foundation or Hospice of Jackson County Iowa.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.