Helen Irene Walden

Helen Irene Walden, who recently and joyously celebrated her 98th birthday and amazing life in the company of her much loved and extended family, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 26, 2018, at Saint Anne's Home (Randallia Dr.) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she spent the last three years receiving excellent, loving care. Helen was born on June 11, 1920, at home in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Velma Keirns (deceased). She was the only girl among six children. Helen moved with her parents and brothers to Fort Wayne when she was five. She graduated from Central High School in 1937. She met her beloved husband of 63 years, Bernard Daniel Walden, (who passed away in 2003) at General Electric where he was an apprentice and she worked in the office. Together they were blessed with a daughter and two sons. After staying home and raising their children for 13 years, she entered the workforce at S.S. Kresge Distribution Center in the Addressograph department. She retired from there in 1978 after 21 years. Bernard and Helen enjoyed their retirement years wintering in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, and also enjoyed many years at the cottage they built together on Rose Lake near Coldwater, Michigan. Helen was a life-long member of Trinity English Lutheran Church, where she learned to be a faithful servant of God and a great prayer warrior. Throughout life, Helen turned everything over to God, always wanting HIS will for her. Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a model for all who followed her. She was unfailingly optimistic, kind, patient, practical, and devoted to her loved ones. She is survived by her daughter Rebecca Ann Bunn (Gary, deceased) of Fort Wayne, her son Daniel Steven Walden (Marty), Winston Salem, NC, and by eight grandchildren, Beth (Kim) Reilley, Amy (Paul, Jr.) Marinell, Molly (Shane) Graft, Heidi (Todd) Kleinrichert, Scott (Shelly) Walden, Greg Walden, Shelly (Tony) David, and Vanessa (Brian) Cohen. She is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law, Ronald Bernard and Sharon Rose Walden in October, 2017, a great-granddaughter, and her five brothers; Harold, Clarence, Elmer, Jr., Robert, and Richard. During the last two weeks of her life, she received special care from Visiting Nurse Hospice Care. A memorial service will be held at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd. 46802, Pastor Kathleen Haller officiating, on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the Nave. Prior to the service, visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Helen may be made to Trinity English Lutheran Church ( address above) or Saint Anne Home, 1900 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne 46805.