Corliss J. Walker

Corliss Jane (Fried) Walker died peacefully at Hospice of N.W. Ohio, Perrysburg suddenly and unexpectedly on December 17, 2025, at the age of 80. Corliss is survived by her husband of 55 years, James Robert (Bob) Walker, daughters Margaret (Peggy) Walker and Carolyn Showalter. Grandchildren are Elise, Andrew, Bennett and Ethan Showalter. Surviving siblings are: Cheryl Stephens, Warren "Sonny" (Sonya) Fried, Glenn Fried and Kathryn Neer. She was preceded in death by her parents Reinhold and Iona (Flath) Fried of Minot, North Dakota.

Corliss was born on September 30, 1945, in Minot, North Dakota graduating from Minot High School in 1964. She took several courses at Minot State University before moving to Cleveland, Ohio to work for Ohio Bell. Thereafter she met and married her apartment neighbor, Bob, in February 1970. Honeymooning in Hawaii with side trips to Las Vegas and San Francisco opened a lifelong attraction to travel. There was always a new adventure, new places to see. A highlight of camping trips was in The Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern Minnesota where God's breathtaking miracles were revealed in the wilderness night sky.

By the late 1970's, daughters Peggy and Carolyn had completed the Walker family. Corliss set about teaching them life skills including swimming instruction at the "Y" and sewing. Volunteer work at school included assisting in the gym and teaching fine art. Later after moving to Perrysburg she turned her hobby into a career. With husband Bob they opened her own sewing shop, The Smart Needle, in downtown Perrysburg for eight years in the 90's. Corliss was able to teach many people the art of sewing through a variety of classes. Her children remember her as a natural teacher and encouraging mother who supported them to pursue their goals. Corliss had a number of pieces accepted into local art shows as a fiber artist. She was a generous person who loved using her talents for others. She was passionate about continuing her hobbies to help others from knitting sweaters for third world children to making greeting cards and toys for her favorite charity, Bags of Love. She was an avid reader of books and viewer of movies from her vast DVD collection. Bob and Corliss frequently went to Gospel concerts, movies, opera, stage plays and going out to eat.

During the past sixteen years, Corliss became a walking testimony to the miracles of modern day medicine. She was a warrior and a victor. Corliss leaned on the strength of her Lord Jesus to survive her trials. She battled arthritic issues and won, she had several cardiac issues and overcame them, she had a pulmonary issue and defeated it. Among other challenges, she conquered a very difficult cancer.

With the aid of Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, a Celebration of Life has been set for Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the funeral home, 222 E. South Boundary Street, Perrysburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bags of Love.