Edna Fern Valentine

Edna Fern Valentine, age 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, November 12, 2021, at the Putnam County Care Center where she had been a resident only 4 months. Fern was the ninth child of Harley Dunn and Jessie Emma (Thompson) Klinginsmith, born on February 11, 1926, at the family home near Lucerne. Fern attended grade school at Gravel Ridge and Graduated from Unionville High School in 1943. She and her sister Mary then moved to Burlington, IA, to attend Beauty School. Fern and her siblings, Mart, Elmo, Don, and Mary had a band, the Missouri Ramblers, where she played the accordion and the piano. Fern was a Christian and loved the Lord, being saved at a revival when she was 10 years old. Her life was a testimony of her faith.

Fern married Joe Valentine on June 5, 1945, in Troy, Kansas, following his return from WWII. They built a new home in Unionville and purchased a Station to begin their life together. In 1954 they built a new house near Powersville where they raised their family and she lived for nearly seventy years. Fern began her career in the Beauty Shop, followed by a lifelong career of baking and decorating cakes that she enjoyed so much. She made lots and lots of birthday and wedding cakes during her 60-year career. She was so creative and meticulous spending many hours making sure every detail was perfect. Fern was also a wonderful seamstress and could make anything, she was a perfectionist in her sewing as well. She served as a 4-H project leader for many years for her kids and grandkids. Fern could do anything, she was an artist and also enjoyed knitting, crochet and painting. Gardening was a love of Fern’s and she always had a beautiful garden with very few weeds and was proud of her big harvest each year spending may hours canning so her family had plenty to eat. She was also a great cook with her homemade noodles, pies, donuts, and rolls along with her special hull and lima beans being loved by all her whole family. She was always so proud of her BIG family and loved having them all together at her house each Christmas. Fern loved the Farm and was proud of the cattle, she kept books for the farm and family trucks on paper by hand until she was 90 years old. She was dedicated to her family and lived as a widow for 40 years always staying busy with one of her many talents.

Fern is survived by her children – Danny and wife Linda Valentine, Jeannine and husband Gordon (Bud) Williams, Jeffrey and wife Kathy Valentine and Kraig and wife Annette Valentine, all of Lucerne and daughter-in-law Cindy Valentine of Smithville, MO. Her sister-in-Laws, Alma Young, Opal Crawford, Amber June Michael, Bonnie and husband Jack Jewell and Connie Valentine & Conrad and her many nieces and nephews she loved so much.

Her 13 grandchildren – Jason & wife Michelle Valentine, Jeremy & wife April Valentine, Jennifer Channing, Tony Valentine, Jackie Joe & wife Brenda, Rob & wife Kelly, Chad Williams, Codie & wife Beth Williams, Delhi & husband Brad Rowland, Darien Valentine, Dakota & wife Katelyn Valentine, Natalie & husband Bram Clark and Nathan Valentine & wife Ashlyn. Twin Step granddaughters Tina & husband Kirk May and Gina & husband Doug Parks.

Her 24 great grandchildren – Jacey & husband, Jaron Young, Ryan Valentine, Reed & Jocelyn Valentine, Remington & Arah Neighbors, Briar & Montana Valentine, Chelsey & husband Kyle Spillman, Gus Valentine & fiancé Darcee, Lexie, Syla & Tuff Valentine, Alexis, Shelby & Rayden Williams, Katie, Gage & Max Williams, Zane, Marlee & Georgia Rowland, Peyton Valentine, Kolton Foreman, Rylan & Fallon Clark and 6 step great grandchildren.

Her 4 great-great grandchildren – Oliver Valentine, Harvester Valentine, Tate Spillman & Paisley Valentine

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe on August 1, 1980, her son Rodger on May 3, 2005, her great grandchildren, Rowdee Valentine & Julian Williams and all her siblings, Kenneth, Reva, Mart, Helen, Elmo, Mary, Don & Arah Marie and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Fern Valentine will be at Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 17, 2021. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery, Lucerne, Missouri.

Memorials can be made payable to the Lucerne Cemetery and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565