Walden Silva
He grew up with sisters Carmen (Mickey), Margaret, Emma, and brothers Ray, David & Frank.
Walden grew up Manhattan, Kansas where he attended Luckey Catholic School and later Manhattan High School. Walden enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on February 4, 1952 and was stationed in Korea during the Korean War in the 46th Communications Squadron. Walden earned the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Walden married Mary Louise Madrigal on September 11, 1954, in Manhattan, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University (K-State) and graduated with two degrees and later attended Washburn University School of Law.
In 1965, Walden accepted a position with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as the Deputy Director of the Albuquerque office and subsequently was promoted to the Regional Director of the EEOC in Denver, Colorado.
In 2017, Walden and Louise decided to return to Kansas and live in Council Grove.
Walden was a devote Catholic and loved Jesus. He and his wife are parishioners of Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
Walden is survived by his loving wife Mary Louise Silva, daughters Paula (the late Joe) Massey, Albuquerque, NM; Cynthia Silva, Denver, Colorado; Jeffrey (Hilda) Silva, Las Cruces, NM; Valerie (Steve) Hiegert, Council Grove, KS; nine grandchildren, Gregory Montanez, Austin Silva (Amanda Wachtel), Nick (Brianna) Massey, Shelby Massey, Jordan Silva, Colt (Mallory) Hiegert, Brian Burbach, Brad Burbach, & Zane Silva; five great grandchildren Nadiya Chambers, Olivia Montanez, Kannon Chambers, Sage Massey & Madelyn Hiegert; brother Frank Silva (Newton, KS), sister Emma Thompson (NY) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Walden was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters and a son in law.
A Rosary will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Council Grove on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday July 25, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Andrew J. Sieler as the Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Council Grove.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose Landscape project and sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.