Lynda Kaye Mildren, 73, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Born on January 14, 1952, in Elmhurst, Illinois, Lynda was the beloved daughter of the late Robert and Evelyn Warren.

Lynda’s life was a testament to her sweet, kind, and generous spirit. She was a woman who was always thinking of others, a quality that defined her actions and left a lasting impact on all who knew her. A 1974 graduate of Missouri State University, Lynda dedicated her career to education, a field where her passion for helping others truly shined. As a migrant teacher in Monett, Missouri, she helped a new Spanish-speaking population learn English, making a profound difference in their lives. She later became the director and a preschool teacher in Dora, Missouri, where she successfully secured grants to develop a preschool within the school district. She also ran the youth group for the United Methodist Church in Monett, creating a fun and welcoming space for teenagers.

For 53 years, Lynda shared a beautiful life with her husband, Mark Mildren, who was her devoted partner and best friend. She was the loving mother of Elizabeth (Libby) Mildren and James Mildren. Her greatest joy was her family. She cherished her role as a grandmother to Will and Evan Mildren and Catalina and Luciana Rivas, and she sent them new school clothes and a vast collection of children’s books every year.

Lynda had a special way of showing her love, often through baking. She was known for her Christmas cookie table, with a variety of offerings, though her signature sugar cookies were everyone’s favorite. In addition to baking, she and Mark enjoyed their daily walks together, a cherished routine. She also found great joy in watching the Hallmark Christmas movies each year. A perfect day for Lynda often included a trip through the McDonald’s drive-thru for a fresh cookie and a Dr. Pepper. She also loved to dance, with a particular fondness for “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner. She immensely loved crab legs and seafood, trips to Florida beaches, and seeing Broadway shows in NYC. She also had a deep love for her long-lived cats that were also part of the family.

Lynda was a woman who fully embraced her silly, playful, and zany side. She had a flair for dressing up in outrageously funny costumes for Halloween and school spirit days as a teacher, and when trick-or-treating with her grandchildren. She had an extensive silly sock collection and an abundance of over-the-top, funny Christmas sweaters. Beyond her humor, Lynda was deeply empathetic and compassionate. She instilled the importance of always treating others lovingly and being of service. She always knew exactly what to say to lift someone’s spirits or comfort her family and friends through hardships.

Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Evelyn Warren. She is survived by her loving husband, Mark Mildren; her children, Elizabeth (Libby) Mildren and James Mildren; her grandchildren, Will and Evan Mildren and Catalina and Luciana Rivas; and her older brother, Robert Warren. She also leaves behind countless dear friends from the many towns and churches she and Mark were a part of.

Lynda was a truly kind, caring, and thoughtful soul who will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 10, at Schweitzer United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM, with a visitation preceding the service at 1:00 PM. Lynda will be interred at Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Dads, the Nature Conservancy, and the Schweitzer Church Building Project.