Karey J. Walker, 68, of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in Fargo, ND.

Karey was born on April 9, 1958, in Mayville, ND, to Keith and Dorthy Swingdoff. She grew up with her family in Devils Lake, ND, and graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1976. Guided by her deep love for children, she continued her education at North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead, specializing in Early Childhood Special Education.

Karey dedicated her life to teaching. She began her career in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, before returning to the Fargo-Moorhead area, where she worked at various childcare centers and within the ECFE program in Ulen-Hitterdal, MN. She spent her final 20 years at Our Redeemer’s Christian Childcare Center in Moorhead, where she took immense pride in her pre-toddler classroom. Karey treated every child in her care as her own. On her lunch breaks, she lovingly crafted custom blankets to gift to each child on their second birthday—a treasured keepsake that many still hold onto today.

On June 19, 1982, Karey married the love of her life, Steven Walker, in Devils Lake, ND. Together, they celebrated 44 years of beautiful marriage this past June, raising their family on the Walker family farm south of Moorhead.

Karey’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was an active member of her church, participating in the ladies' circle, quilting groups, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School (VBS). In her free time, Karey was an avid reader who could easily finish several books a week. In her later years, her greatest joy was reading those books to her beloved grandchildren.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Steve Walker; her children, Karissa Walker, Chelshey (Tatum) Grandstrand, and Alan Walker (Chey Miles); her step-daughter, Shanna Somers; five grandsons, Kevin Kruger, Ethan Somers, Konner Miles, and Myles Grandstrand; two granddaughters, Taylor Somers and Lily Walker; two great-granddaughters, Scarlette and Nova Wheelright; her mother, Marian Swingdoff; two brothers Kevin and Allen Swingdoff; and one sister Deanne Sogge.

Karey was preceded in death by her mother, Dorthy Swingdoff; her father, Keith Swingdoff; and her grandson, Kolby Grandstrand.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11 a.m. with a visitation one hour before the service at Hoff Lutheran Church, rural Moorhead, MN.