Valeta Mae Grunden

valeta grunden

October 12, 1937 ~ December 16, 2024

Born in: Tipton, Kansas
Resided in: Jefferson City, Missouri

Valeta Mae Grunden, 87, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024, at The Arbors in Jefferson City with family by her side.

She was born October 12, 1937, in Tipton, Kansas, the daughter of Sylvester and Barbara (Boden) Kohn.

She was a 1955 graduate of Cawker City High School in Kansas, a 1958 graduate of University of Kansas earning her Licensed Practical Nursing degree, and received her Registered Nursing degree in 1990 from Lincoln University.

She was united in marriage on October 19, 1957, in Kansas City, KS to Donald Michael Grunden who preceded her in death on February 1, 2011.

Valeta worked for St. Mary’s Health Center as a registered nurse for over 15 years retiring September 1, 1995. She earned several awards at St. Mary’s for her excellent care. She previously worked as a nurse in Kansas City and Houston, Texas.

She was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was involved for many years with the Immaculata Club, IC Funeral Luncheon Committee, and served 15 years as a Eucharistic Minister visiting shut-ins and nursing home residents. She loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and music activities, playing kickball and whiffle ball with them and taking them for ice cream and countless fun trips to amusement parks. She cherished trips with family and friends to Florida and Las Vegas. Valeta also enjoyed walking, hiking, riding bikes, reading, and praying.

Survivors include her four children, Mike (Lynette) Grunden, Overland Park, KS; Christy (Rick) Clarkston, Innsbrook, MO; Scott (Kelly) Grunden, Jefferson City; Tammy (Jerry) Kolb, Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Christopher) Bell, Jorie (Ryan) Guccione, Kara (Andrew) Richart, Adam (Paige) Grunden, Courtney (Jared) Beshore, Brett (Alannah) Kolb, and Leah Kolb; eight great-grandchildren with two more on the way; two siblings, Chuck (Joyce) Kohn, Janice Wiles; and a sister-in-law, Teresa Kohn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don Grunden; a son, Terry Grunden; and a brother, Bill Kohn.

Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Matthew Flatley officiating.

Burial will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com

Services

Visitation: Friday, December 20, 2024 9:30 am - 11:00 am

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1206 East McCarty Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101


Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, December 20, 2024 11:00 am

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1206 East McCarty Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101


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  1. I worked with Valeta at St. Mary’s always fun and caring many sympathies and prayers for the family. Mary Anne Holmes

    • Thank you, Mary Anne. She had many wonderful memories and friends at St. Mary’s. I am glad you were part of them!
      Tammy Grunden Kolb

  2. Tammy- what a treasure your mom was and lead a Godly life. She truly is an example. All of Heaven is rejoicing. Continued prayers for you.

    • Thank you, Lisa, for being such a good friend, always checking on how my mom was doing, and lending a listening ear and lots of support and prayers. I cherish our friendship! My mom was a special lady, and I will miss her dearly. As you said, Heaven is rejoicing!
      Tammy

  3. I am so sorry to hear of dear Aunt Valeta’s passing. She was the toughest woman I know and I lokked up to her with much admiration. I remember one summer in Kansas piercing both hers and Janice’s ears and some of my cousins too. I was only 15:-) She never even cringed when I popped the safety pin through her ear lobes. She got things done.
    I am sorry we cannot make the funeral but we have and will continue to pray for her soul and our cousins and their families.
    Many thanks to all of you for decades of memories and love
    Barbara (Kohn) Lishko

    • Thank you, Barb! I appreciate you sharing your love, prayers and memories! I knew I could count on you and Aunt Theresa for help with the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Jerry and I were saying it when Mom passed, so she had a good start on her climb to Heaven. I am sure she ran the whole way!
      Love always, Tammy

    • Thank you for your prayers, Carol. Jerry mentioned that you took care of your dad until his passing in 2023. I know that was hard, but it’s the best gift we can give them. I appreciate you taking time to come to my mom’s visitation as well.
      Jerry and Tammy Kolb

    • Thank you, Rex and Jan. Our mom was very special and helped us all out in many ways. I am sure you crossed paths in The Learning Tree pickup line. The kids have fond memories of their preschool days!
      Tammy (Grunden) Kolb

  4. What a beautiful lady she was! I went to the Healthplex for quite a few years in the past, and she was always there. She was in better shape than I was. SHe was always so kind and friendly. She will be greatly missed!
    Prayers and love to your family,
    Donna Bernskoetter

    • Thank you, Donna. She so enjoyed the Healthplex and the many friends she made there! She spoke of you often and your mutual desires to make the world a better place, especially for your children.
      Tammy (Grunden) Kolb

  5. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all…..The Late Victor & Irene Stegeman Family

  6. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all…..The Late Victor & Irene Stegeman Family

  7. I’m very sorry to hear of Aunt Valeta’s passing. I have many great memories of visiting everyone in Jeff City and staying with Valeta and Uncle Don, seeing her and all the cousins for trips to Beloit, and learning how to do the worm at the Grunden weddings. She was always such a fun person to be around and a great aunt, I wish we could have spent more time with her as an adult. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the cousins. Unfortunately we won’t be able to make it to the funeral, but we’ll be thinking of you.
    -Brett Kohn & family

  8. I’m very sorry to hear of Aunt Valeta’s passing. I have many great memories of visiting everyone in Jeff City and staying with Valeta and Uncle Don, seeing her and all the cousins for trips to Beloit, and learning how to do the worm at the Grunden weddings. She was always such a fun person to be around and a great aunt, I wish we could have spent more time with her as an adult. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the cousins. Unfortunately we won’t be able to make it to the funeral, but we’ll be thinking of you.
    -Brett Kohn & family

    • Thank you, Brett! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and sweet memories! My mom will be dearly missed. We enjoyed seeing your mom and dad at the funeral and hope we can all stay in touch.
      Jerry, Tammy and Family

  9. Val was a beautiful, kind and caring lady. She was a special lady and meant a great deal to my husband! She will certainly be missed by all her family and friends!!

    • Thank you, Judy! My mom and dad loved you all very much! We had such fun memories, especially at the Lake. My mom is finally with my dad and brother, Terry, after all of these years, and I am certain that Uncle Fred, Aunt Bev, Bob, Teddy Bear and the rest of the clan will be wonderful hosts in Heaven.
      Tammy (Grunden) Kolb


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