Valeta D. Rosenkranz (Val to her family and close friends – Gigi to her grandchildren) died Monday, October 14, 2019, surrounded by her family. She lived 99½ years surviving life in Western Kansas with no electricity or indoor plumbing, the "Dirty Thirties" of the Dust Bowl, breast cancer, the loss of her parents, her four siblings, and her husband of 65 years, Bud Rosenkranz, who died October 16, 2006.

She was born March 30, 1920, in Pratt, Kans. She was a people person her whole life. She loved school, graduating high school and attending business school in Wichita, Kans. She worked as a grocery stocker, cashier, bank teller, traveled the Midwest setting up ATMs and was a bank branch manager in Manhattan, Kans. She always had time for a smile and a conversation. A resident of Kansas for much of her life, she and Bud moved to O'Fallon, Ill., in August of 2006.

She is survived by her three children: Linda Malcom of O'Fallon, Ill., Susan Holden of O'Fallon, Ill. and David (Janis) Rosenkranz of Blue Rapids, Kans., six grandchildren: Kevin (Janice) Wenger of Chesterfield, Mo., Kimberly (Brian) Mann of Durham, N.C., David (Melanie) Holden of O'Fallon, Ill., Dr. Christopher Holden of Chicago, Ill., Amanda Holden of O'Fallon, Ill., and Heather Holden of O'Fallon, Ill. and six great-grandchildren: Kathryn Wenger & Andrew Wenger of Chesterfield, Mo., Drake Mann, Dillon Mann, and Olivia Mann of Durham, N.C., and Milo Holden of O'Fallon, Ill.

Val was an animal lover and leaves behind her miniature Schnauzer, Kanza. She enjoyed working in the yard, was an avid gardener, and made everything bloom and thrive. She was great in the kitchen and her Coconut Meringue Pies and Swedish Rye Bread were signature dishes. We all loved spending time in her kitchen making peanut brittle, fudge, and hard candy. Val enjoyed reading, sports and rooting for the Cardinals, St Louis Blues and her beloved Kansas State University Wildcats. She enjoyed "happy hours" with single malt Scotch one of her favorites. We frequently had to request she put her iPhone down and stop texting at the table.

Fall was her favorite season. Although her eyesight and hearing were failing and arthritis was a constant companion, she maintained a positive attitude and was as sharp and quick with a retort as she had always been. Val enjoyed weekly massages, manis and pedis until 2 weeks before her death. She was looking forward to starting her new life at The Colonnade (Assisted Living Center in O'Fallon) and was to be released from the Rehab Center after a bout with pneumonia the day that she died. As she was being taken to the ER, she insisted the nurse bring her cell phone and hearing aids. She loved us unconditionally and knew we absolutely adored her.

The family wishes to thank the exceptional caregivers at Memorial Hospital's Hospice Center in Belleville, Ill., who made her final hours amazing.

Val's wishes were to be cremated. Private services will be held at a later date.