Obituary for BIRDIE MAY STOCKER

Birdie May Stocker, 79, of Des Moines, died Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Valley View Village in Des Moines after a long battle with dementia.

Birdie was born in Ottumwa on March 15, 1943, to Joseph and Dora Lyon (Arnold) Walker. She graduated from Blakesburg High School in 1961. In addition to raising her children and running their household, Birdie was a Data Entry Operator for the Home Clerical Department at Meredith Corp for over 20 years.

Birdie married the love of her life, Lyle Stocker on December 1, 1962. They were blessed with three children: Lisa (David) Stocker-Ross of Des Moines, Joseph (Wendy) Stocker of Carlisle, and Karen (Michael) Urick of Lee’s Summit, MO.

Birdie was a member of Wakonda Christian Church and The Gloryland Singers. Her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed Southern Gospel music, volunteering at Mercy Hospital, collecting Boyd’s Bears and playing games. She and Lyle also loved to travel. She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

In addition to her children, Birdie is survived by her seven grandchildren: Jennifer (Tom), Michael (Kali), Jessica (Shay), Nathan, Lucas, Mason, and Miles; four great-grandchildren; her brother, Robert (Eulalia) Walker of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Shirley Walker of Ottumwa; and brother-in-law, Carl Stocker of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son-in-law, David, and her brother, Ronald Walker.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a memorial service on Saturday, March 4, 2023 beginning at 9:30 a.m., both at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Valley View Village Staff Appreciation Fund or Suncrest Hospice in Des Moines.