BESSIE MAE WALTON, 88 DUBUQUE, Iowa - Bessie Mae Walton, 88, of Sunnycrest Manor passed away at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Sunnycrest Manor of natural causes. Bessie was born on June 12, 1924, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Laverne H. And Gertrude (Hicks) White. Bessie grew up in Wisconsin and Illinois before moving to Dubuque in 1945. She married Robert A. Walton on November 22, 1945. He preceded her in death in January of 1971. Bessie was employed at the Busy Bee Café for many years. She was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Bessie enjoyed watching baseball, especially the Cubs and White Sox and was a Chicago Bulls and Iowa Hawkeye fan. She enjoyed going to concerts, sporting events and going out to eat, especially at Breezy's. Bessie loved her "Sunnycrest family". She always had something going on and was a social butterfly. Holidays were her favorite time of year and she decorated extensively. Bessie was also the keeper of her family history and had generations of family photos. She loved all children and her favorite past time was going to visit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to her bi-annual trips to Chicago to visit her grandchildren, Rob and Emily and their families. Bessie is survived by her sons, Ronald Walton, Dubuque, IA, Thomas Walton, Dubuque, IA, Ralph Walton, Dubuque, IA; daughter-in-law, Andrea Walton, Lewisville, TX; 4 grandchildren, Jim Brinsky, Arizona, Todd Brinsky, Arizona, Rob (Rebecca) Walton, Chicago, Emily (Josh) Patterson, Alsip, IL; 4 great-grandchildren. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; 2 daughters, Anna Brinsky and Janet Walton; son, Robert E. Walton; and 2 sisters, Shirley Thomasson and Mildred Walton. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Sunnycrest Manor for all of the care and love they gave to Bessie. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 1199 Main Street, with Pastor John Gaul officiating. To celebrate Bessie's life friends may visit from 3 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery. A Bessie Mae Walton memorial fund has been established. Online condolences may be left for the family at behrfuneralhome.com.