Donald Charles Walkenhorst, D.O. of Manchester, MO, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at the age of 75. Loving husband of 55 years to Nancy Walkenhorst (nee: Dickman); beloved son of the late Charles and Hazel Walkenhorst; devoted father of Brad (Deanne) Walkenhorst and Brian Walkenhorst; treasured grandfather of Nick Walkenhorst, Brent Walkenhorst, Melody Walkenhorst and Christopher Walkenhorst; dear brother of Roger (Nancy) Walkenhorst, Doug Walkenhorst, Charlene (Craig) Fisher, Kim (Larry) Novak, Dean (Jo) Walkenhorst; cherished uncle of numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. Donald is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia (Paul) Windisch and brother, Charles (Eileen) Walkenhorst.
Don grew up in North County St. Louis where he met the love of his life Nancy while in junior college. In 1980 he graduated from the Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine. It was during his medical school rotations that he found his true calling in caring for nursing home patients. Throughout the years he built many friendships and was known for his compassion. He practiced medicine for over 40 years before his untimely death. His family was his first love followed closely by his love of boating. Often when he was away from his “land office” he could be found at his houseboat “The North Office.” He and his family made many friends at the Lake Center Marina over the years. Don was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Due to COVID -19 No Memorial Celebrations will be held at this time.
In Lieu of Flowers Memorials may be made in Don's memory to: The Alzheimer's Association or the charity of the donor's choice.
I am so sorry for your loss Nancy. Don will be missed so much. The three musketeers are together again. Love you guys.
So sorry for your loss. I’ve been there. If you need anything please call. Love you Nancy
A GREAT THANKS for many tears of faithful care to family. You will be forever remembered.
So many wonderful memories of great times together . We did have adventures and stories that will be forever in our hearts. thank you for your friendship my wonderful friends. Don you will be greatly missed by all !
Love Jackie
Our hearts are broken to hear of Don’s passing. We have such great memories of our boating times together. Don and Tom are having a cold drink in heaven today. We send prayers for Nancy and family at this time.
We grew up next door to the entire Walkenhorst family. I am so saddened to learn of this. I am sorry for all of you. Please accept condolences from the entire Roth family- Donna, Barbara, Cindy, Ricky.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Praying for your comfort and peace.
I was in awe of the friendship you both had with my father Bill Burkett. Many many wonderful memories at Lake Center Marina. Matthew was very touched that Don called him to reminisce with him about my dad just hours before his death. He faxed him a copy of the business card they had made. I think talking to Matt was the closest thing to talking to my dad. So very sorry for your loss. I’m sure he is flying high.
With deapest sympathyin in these sad times we are going through in our prayers for you Kim and your family⚘
I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We became good friends the very first day of medical school by sharing a mutual fear of failure because we both agreed that everyone seemed so intelligent and we weren’t sure whether we fit in. As it turned out, we both did well in school and in our careers. We chose different areas of specialty. I went on to Internal Medicine and GI, and Don chose Geriatrics and was a director of numerous nursing homes for many years. I remember many times being on his boat on the Mississippi and him receiving calls regarding nursing home patients. He knew his patients well and always knew how to handle a call on any patient despite the fact that his practice was large. I was so proud of Don that he cared so much to know his patients in such detail. I will miss my friend and wish comfort to his family and friends.
Dr Walkenhorst family, I had the privilege to work closely with Dr Walkenhorst at Parkside. He was deeply loved and respected.
I remember how much he loved talking about boating and making rocking horses for his family.
I am deeply sorry for you loss.
You are in my thoughts and prayers
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say “Goodbye”.
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you –
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.
Since you’ll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you’ll always stay.
This is beautiful writing, and I wish I could take credit for it but I can’t, but please know papa this is exactly how I feel
Love forever and always,
Nick Walkenhorst
Thoughts and prayers to Nan and family. Mark and I met Don and Nan in 98 at Lake Center and the memories go on from there. Don was a wonderful person and always open for friendly conversations and a good time. He will be missed by many.💗
Love you
From all of us in the Krueger family we wish you peace during this trying time.
I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and get to know Dr. Walkerhorst as well as Nancy. In the last 16 or so years, I have enjoyed his kindness and good humor. I will never forget, back in the day, how excited he was to show me his new IPhone with his Shazam app. I still have a handcarved wooden box that he made and gave us for Christmas a few years ago. Nancy, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy and family, we met Don while he was the house doctor at Parklane Nursing Home in Wentzville. He cared for my husband there for six long years. He was the perfect doctor for us, he was friendly and just a down-to-earth guy.. I’m so sorry to hear of his death. God bless you!
So sorry to hear about Don he will be missed.
Praying for peace and comfort at this time for you Nancy as well as your family. He was an excellent doctor, had real compassion for his patients, a great smile and sense of humor which as a nurse I will always remember all of that about him. I am very sorry for your loss.
Nancy and family I’m so sorry for your loss. I so saddened to hear this news. He was a wonderful doctor and mentor all the years we worked together. Praying for peace and solace for you all.
Nancy, I am sorry to see your beloved husband, Dr.Walkenhorst has passed. He took care of my mother at Mt. Carmel for the 5 years she lived there. You and I have spoken on the phone a few times when she lived there, you were always very nice and helpful to us. Dr.Walkenhorst was as well as she had dementia and could be a handful. But he was always pleasant and humorous with her which she liked and he always allowed me to participate in her care because she would cooperate with me. I always appreciated that he did that. I liked him and I share in your sorrow.
Sincerely, Sue Kwiatkowski, Mary Terry’s daughter
Dr. Walkenhorst worked with me in NHC and Parkside. We had a great working relationship and mutual respect. He went out of his way to help me out and covered me when I was on trips out of the country. My deep sympathy to the family.
Some of my fondest memories are thinking back to my parents spending time with Don and Nancy. Don was such a great man, with a great heart for people. His personality was one that anyone who knew him, they were drawn to him. God gave him the gift of being able to have such an amazingly positive impact on everyone he interacted with … and Don used that gift to it’s fullest. He was a blessing to so many and he will be greatly missed. Much love and prayers for Nancy and the entire Walkenhorst family.
Uncle Don was a huge inspiration ever since I was young. I wanted to be a doctor because of him. I even had the same chemistry professor at UMSL as Don and Roger, Dr Armbruster.
The best memories on the river included Uncle Don & Aunt Nancy.
Though I have no kids, Uncle Don still made me a wooden rocking horse.
I noticed Don never got upset or angry and that was one of the character traits I respected and try to be.
Laura S. (Hutchens-Stygar Funeral and Cremation Center)
To the family of Dr Walkenhorst. My first nursing job was at Parkside and working with Dr Walkenhorst. He made such an impression that just yesterday, I mentioned him to someone recalling a funny story. He was such a kind man, he had a great understanding for his patients and I find myself quoting him now 20 years later. He left an impact on those he cared for and I am truly sorry for your loss.
I just mentioned to Michael it was that time of year again where we’d be able to see you guys across the creek on your patio.
We will always cherish OUR wooden rocking horse 🐴. Wishing you peace and comfort.
Love,
The Passow family
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Don. He and I were both members of the class of 1980.
Although we didn’t spend a great deal of time together, we had many pleasant conversations together and I he could always make me laugh when classroom anxiety was high.
God bless him, I’m certain he’s in heaven.
Sincerely, John H Gray D.O. “80”
Don, rest in peace. You were a breath of fresh air in Kirksville. Your accomplishments were great and you remained the buoyant humble human in the room. You are missed. Love, Bob Fedor ’80