Senator Orrin Hatch said Walker "truly paved the way for women in government in Utah.

[citation needed] She had also waited until two months before the nominating convention to choose to run for election, giving her rivals a head start to build their campaigns.

"[11] The Walker Institute coordinates internships for Weber State University students, holds public forums and debates on public policy issues, and provides leadership and engaged-citizenship workshops for students and the community at large.

She and her husband served as International Affairs missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City.

[13] Starting in spring of 2010 she served as the Primary president in the Bloomington 7th Ward on the south side of St. George, Utah.

[7] Olene Walker died of natural causes on November 28, 2015, thirteen days after her 85th birthday.

[16] In May 2010 the Utah County Democratic Party gave Walker its first distinguished service award.