Inez Jane Waalkens, 94, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, at her home.

Inez Jane Waalkens was born Feb. 21, 1923, in Iowa, the daughter of Reint and Mary (Eckhoff) Karsjens. Inez worked at several factories, including the Lockheed airplane factory in California, making P38 fighter jets during World War II. On Sept. 28, 1986, Inez married Henry Waalkens at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She loved spending time at Big Island State Park, fishing at the Federal Dam up north, camping, gardening, and watching the wrens in her yard.

Inez is survived by her children, Susan (Randy) Cockeram, Marjorie Renchin, Jerry Bronson, all of Albert Lea, Morris Bronson of Alden, Minnesota, and Kathy (Robert) Pesak of Hermitage, Tennessee; stepchildren, Patricia Anderson of Faribault, Minnesota, Larry (Paige) Waalkens of Forest Lake, Minnesota, Loren Waalkens of Lake City, Minnesota, and Lori (James) Otis of Wesley, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers, Dwight Karsjens and Delbert Karsjens; sisters, Eleanor Harms and Lauretta Barnett; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Inez was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jim Bronson; brothers, Edward, Orval, and Walter Karsjens; sisters, Mathilda Waalkens and Leonora Miller; and stepdaughter, Judy Renville.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be at Hollandale (Minnesota) Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.