David A Boyden, Sr.

David A. Boyden Sr., 81, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Oakley Place in Topeka.

He was born March 15, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to Raymond Francis Boyden Sr. and Harriet (Deibel) Boyden, the fourth of 15 children. David graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in New Lexington, Ohio in 1962.

While serving at Forbes Field, he met the love of his life, Imelda “Melly” Anne Schmidtberger in a cafe near base. He went in everyday and wooed her by leaving a one dollar tip after ordering a cup of coffee that cost a nickel. They married on November 20, 1965. They celebrated 55 years together, before her passing in 2021.

David worked for UPS for 27 years, working his way from loader to over the road truck driver to manager. He earned several driving accolades, including an award for driving one million miles without an accident. After retiring from UPS in 1993, he went on to drive for the Army Air Force Exchange Service, driving over the road for many more years, before retiring again in 2014.

He was a devoted member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, leading the rosary and serving as lector for many Masses in his younger days. He was also known for his rosary making abilities, making thousands of beautiful rosaries for family, friends, and strangers.

He had a passion for organic gardening his entire life- raising, eating and selling many different types of produce and flowers at the farmers' markets as well as at his home. He raised many types of animals as well in his lifetime, including his beloved goats. He believed anything could be cured by either garlic or honey! He always had a strong work ethic, instilling in his eight children the value of hard work. He was a great dancer and was known for his bread making abilities. As a child, he was in charge of making bread for his family of 16, and assisting his mother with many of the canning duties.

Survivors include his eight children, David Boyden, Jr, Joe (Cathy) Boyden, Richard (Misti) Boyden, Christina (Sam) Leone, Tim (Christi) Boyden, Mary (Matt) Lawhon, Tony (Stephanie) Boyden, Elizabeth (Kevin) Wilkinson; siblings, Dan Boyden (Sharon), Anne Brown (Francis), Patricia Thorne, Cathy Dickson, Steve Boyden, and Tom Boyden; in-laws, Roswitha Boyden, Dick Saegert, Judy Boyden; 34 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a daughter, Therese Boyden; siblings, Ray Boyden Sr., Paul Boyden (Pirom), Mary Saegert, Michael Boyden, John Boyden, Julie Stough (Bob), and Elizabeth Boyden.

A visitation with the family will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, with a rosary prayed at 6:00pm, Thursday, April 23, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am, Friday, April 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Memorial contributions should be made to St. Joseph/Sacred Heart Parish, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603.