Colette Walden

Colette Walters Walden was born June 27th, 1963 in Ft. Worth, Texas. She passed away May 4th, 2025 at CoxSouth Medical Center. She was 61 years old.
Colette was preceded in death by her parents, Ellis and Anne Walters, a sister, Colleen Messner, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and her dear friend Terri Stafford.
She's survived by her husband Robert Walden, her sons Isaac and Jacob Walden, all of Springfield, and her two fur babies, Juice and Mellow. She's also survived by her brother, Clifford Walters and sister Connie Shelby, both of Springfield, her mother-in-law Dee Combs and husband Steve, brothers and sisters-in-laws, numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, cousins and friends in the Springfield area and beyond.
Colette's family moved from Ft. Worth to Springfield when she was a young girl. She graduated from Central High School in 1981. She was the graduating class secretary and helped to organize some of the earlier class reunions. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University, now MSU, in 1985 with a degree in writing.
Colette was employed by the Assemblies of God Headquarters in Springfield for over 27 years, as an editor/writer/copywriter. She made so many friends over the years there, including Shirley Hall who she adored.
Colette's love for reading was passed to her sons. The three of them would have animated discussions about literature, ranging from the classics to Harry Potter. She would take them to Barnes and Noble for the midnight release each time of the latest Harry Potter book. She loved going there and having a cafe mocha while perusing the latest books.
Colette was extremely close to her best friend, Tracy Bruegman Adler, who introduced Colette to Robert in 1983. Colette and Tracy met as children, attended and graduated Central together, and even competed together on the Central tennis team. While attending college, Colette was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and it was during this time that Tracy brought Colette to the Wendy's restaurant Robert managed. This first encounter, with Colette selling Robert Girl Scout cookies, blossomed, and they were married in June of 1984. This loving marriage continued for more than 40 years until Colette's passing.
Colette enjoyed enduring friendships over the years. She and Terri Stafford would have lunch outings with their dear friends Katie Struckhoff and Julia Fuller, at the Aviary restaurant, dubbing themselves the Aviary Girls. It was a special and unique bond they all had. After Terri passed, the 3 of them continued the tradition as a testament to the bonds of their friendships.
Colette also had a loving and unique friend, Jean Wardell, who she graduated from high school with. Colette loved to tell friends and family about her world-traveling scientist friend Jean. Colette and Robert were privileged to receive visits and gifts over the years from Jean from her world travels.
Her smile was infectious, a testament to her genuine loving nature for people. She was always there with a kind word or action to someone who needed it. She especially loved older people, and her animals.
Colette enjoyed swimming and loved going to the beach in Florida or Texas. She loved to take walks in the neighborhood she and Robert live in, meeting and making friends with numerous neighbors over the years. She loved to read. She loved to laugh. She loved the color red. She loved getting together with friends and family for meals or coffee. She absolutely loved coffee; she never claimed to be a morning person, and made good on this assertion: she didn't say so much as a word until she'd had a least one cup of coffee!
Colette was raised in the United Methodist church. She and Robert were married at Dale Street (now Pathways) United Methodist church; after marriage they were members of St. Luke United Methodist during the time their boys were born. They loved the people there. They attended a few other churches before joining Heartland Covenant church in Springfield, where they were members for 17 years. Her deep abiding faith in God was readily evident to those she encountered.
Colette's health became a concern in the fall of 2019, which she battled with extraordinary honesty and strength until she was called home to heaven on May 4th.
The family would like to extend their profound gratitude to the many friends and family who've surrounded them with love and support, gifts and meals, phone calls and messages. They're especially grateful to the incredible medical staff on the 700 West floor at CoxSouth Medical Center. The staff was the epitome of kindness and caring for Colette and her family during her final days.
Visitation and funeral services will be Saturday, May 10th at Pathways United Methodist Church, 1232 E. Dale St. in Springfield. Visitation is at 1:00 PM with the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Colette's final wishes were to be cremated; interment of her ashes will be at a later date with a private family ceremony.