Mary Frances Walden (Merrill)

Mary Frances “Fran” (Merrill) Walden was born on February 17, 1944, to Roger and Eleanor (Wright) Merrill. She had many stories about visiting her grandmother, Alfhild’s farm when she was growing up, including an incident with a sister, a mule, and a pile of manure that ended with her needing a bath. And the stories of her dad cooking dinner during road trips on parts of the car’s engine, which didn’t always result in burnt food. When Fran was in her early teens, her mother passed. Her older sisters Ann and Sue were busily growing towards adulthood and moving out of the house, so Fran stepped up and took on additional household responsibilities, such as cooking. 

In 1962, Fran graduated from Southeast High School, in Kansas City, MO. During her high school years, she got to know some Waldens who were also going to school there, including Sheila and her little brother, Bill. On June 5, 1965, she married and took on the responsibility of William R. “Bill” Walden. The two raised four boys, David, Daniel, Donald, and Douglas, in south Kansas City, where the backyard was filled with a jungle gym, matchbox cars, and Star Wars toys. When the boys were old enough to be in school, she began working at Great Oaks Nursing Home for Christian Scientists. After leaving Great Oaks, she focused on taking care of her kids and grandkids, Tiffany and William. Around 2000, Bill became ill and Fran took on the near full-time responsibility of driving him to doctor appointments and other care until he passed in 2013. For years, she was part of the Southeast High School Class of 1962 reunion committee, taking on responsibility for helping plan reunions and get-togethers. 

She maintained contact and friendships with many people from that part of her life, meeting regularly to reminisce and share how everyone’s families had grown.Fran loved her family and friends, sharing her own stories at family gatherings and enjoying all the tales others had to tell. She usually managed to keep the boys in line as she visited her step-mother Julia’s, for the Merrill side of the family, as well as her mother-in-law, Minnie’s, for Walden gatherings, sometimes making it to both in one day. Until travel became difficult, she would attend annual family reunions with the Dahl family, from her father’s side, in Manhattan or Jewell County, KS. Regardless of the event, everyone was happy when Fran brought her brownies.After Bill passed, she moved to Lenexa, near her third son, Don, where she got frequent visits from kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. 

Tiffany came by with Lylah and Logan. David and Robyn brought their family; Jonathan and Janessa’s children, Kavan, Karra, and Cerra, andNathan and Belinda’s children Michaela and Raelyn. During the early months of COVID, after a stay in the hospital due to heart issues, she moved in with Don and his family, Malissa, Opal, and Bob. These years were precious for both Gramma and grandkids, as they got to see each other every day. She would sometimes even turn off the Royals or the Chiefs (that she was watching from a recording) for evening TV with one or both grandchildren. The kids enjoyed the chance to learn some shopping skills from their grandmother. They learned that, if you’re shopping from Gramma Fran, it’s probably the most expensive item on the shelf or she wouldn’t think it tasted right. Throughout it all, Fran always held dear her daily check-ins from her youngest son, Doug.A few days before Christmas, 2024, she became ill. It turned out to be too big a hit on her somewhat fragile system. 

After a week in the hospital, she spent a very peaceful night in the KC Hospice House, where she passed on the morning of New Year’s Day. While in the hospital, she continued to express love for everyone and wishes that you all know she loves you. Fran took on a lot of responsibilities in her life, carrying them out from a place of love. Even though later in life, she had problems with her heart, she never ever had problems with her loving heart.Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Eleanor Merrill, stepmother, Julia, her husband, Bill, sisters Sue, Ann, and Nancy, her son, Daniel, and too many other dear family and friends. She is survived by David and Robyn Walden, of Lawrence, KS, Don and Malissa Walden, of Lenexa, KS, Doug Walden, of Independence, MO, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, extended family, and wonderful friends and neighbors whose love the family has greatly appreciated through this tough time.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1st, at 1:00 pm at 

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7740 Lackman Road Lenexa, KS 66217   https://www.stpaulslenexa.org/

In recognition of the neurodiversity God's blessing gives us to experience, the family suggests donations to Autism Speaks at https://www.autismspeaks.org. 

And because love is diverse and should conquer all, we also suggest considering the Trevor Project at https://give.thetrevorproject.org.