Mike Walden, advance planning consultant at Locke Funeral Services, has been with Locke’s for over 11 years. But not only is he a familiar face, he and Locke’s also share some key similarities. As a lifelong resident, Mike is a fixture in the Cedar Valley. Yet, like Locke’s, he’s not content with simply being present—he’s continuously looking for ways to lend a hand and make a difference.
“I enjoy giving back and volunteering with several non-profit and civic organizations,” Mike said. “As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, ‘It is always the right time to do the right thing.’ And it’s a philosophy I try to live by.”
Currently, Mike serves as a Cedar Valley Hospice volunteer and president of the Waterloo Elmwood Cemetery board of directors. And he has been a Grow Cedar Valley Ambassador for over 20 years.
Mike saves a bit of his time for his other passions as well, however. He is a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan, a golf enthusiast, and an avid photographer—a talent he also uses to help area non-profit organizations. And of course, Mike makes as much time as he can to spend with his grandchildren and the rest of the family, including their Olde English Bulldogges.
This focus on family is yet another similarity Mike shares with Locke’s. Family, after all, is at the center of what Locke Funeral Services does every day.
“There are so many memories of families giving thanks for all we’ve done to assist their loved ones,” Mike said. “It is an honor to be able to help families create plans that work for them and make the difficult times ahead a little easier for their loved ones.”
Mike also points out that easing the way for families extends to all aspects of the work the team at Locke Funeral Services does—before, during, and following a time of loss.
“Everyone at Locke’s is committed to providing top quality, ethical service,” Mike said. “We are here to do what is right. That’s why we offer aftercare and grief support services to families in the community, whether they choose us for funeral services or not.”
To ensure families receive the care they deserve requires at least one eye on the future. As an advance planning consultant, Mike is used to looking ahead, finding ways to lay a foundation for the families he serves—which is exactly what Locke’s has done for four generations.
The Locke at Tower Park location is a testament to this commitment. Locke’s saw the changing needs of the community. This space allows Locke’s to continue to offer new ways to help the community plan or carry out the wishes of a loved one. You can trust Mike and the rest of the Locke’s team to keep looking to the future, expanding options to meet each family’s unique needs—and to do so with the same compassion and integrity they are already known for.
“We have been here serving the Cedar Valley for four generations and intend on serving for many more,” Mike said. “We are only limited by our imagination. You can trust that Locke’s will continue to imagine the best, so the families we serve receive the best care.”
If you need any funeral services, please contact Locke Funeral Services by calling 319-233-6138. Our staff is ready to assist you with any of your needs.
