Brenda Sue Wallen, 65, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 5:27 am, Friday, January 16, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 10, 1960, in Dayton, Ohio, to Lee E. and Joyce L. (Berry) Turner.
Brenda was a 1979 graduate of Wabash High School. She married David D. Wallen in Covington, Kentucky on October 13, 1992; he died March 14, 2020. Brenda worked for Jim Dandy’s Restaurants, from 1989-2021, starting off as a waitress and working her way to general manager, then ultimately to director of operations. She also owned and operated CR’s in Lagro.
She was a member of the American Legion in both Wabash and Lagro, Eagles Lodge in Wabash, and the Moose Lodge in Lake Placid, Florida. Brenda was an avid bowler, having bowled in leagues for 40 years, and competing in state tournaments until 2017. She enjoyed the beach and Florida. She also loved her girls trips, and traveling with them to Kentucky, and also took them to Italy to visit her son, Nathan while he lived there. Everyone who knew Brenda would say she was a happy person, quick witted, social butterfly, always the life of a party, and thoroughly enjoyed telling people what to do. She made life interesting, always looking for a good prank, and was generally the loudest and brightest person in the room.
She is survived by her son, Nathan (Tabitha) Welch, daughter-in-law, Mysti Welch, her first husband and the father of her sons, Wayne Welch, all of Wabash, six grandchildren; Brayden Welch, Brylee Welch, Brantley “Fred” Welch, Lilly Conliff, Ethan Shambarger, and Evan Shambarger, two great-grandchildren, Oaklynn Shambarger and Colstyn Shambarger, three sisters, Deborah G. (Dave) Hall, Pamela G. Light, and Mada K. Burns, all of Wabash, and her best friend, Mindy Lehman of Lagro. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, David Wallen; and two sons, Kyle Welch and Gregory Welch.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Wabash County Cancer Society, Lagro American Legion, or Wabash Eagles Lodge.
The memorial guest book for Brenda may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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