Valera Ann Wordelman

Alvord, IA

     Valera Ann Wordelman, age 93, of Alvord, IA died Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Fellowship Village Care Center in Inwood, IA, where she made her home since 2019.

     A private burial has taken place at Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Alvord, Iowa.

     Valera Ann Wordelman was born on April 21, 1930, the daughter of Ambrose and Hertha (Hattie) Paffrath.  At the age of 8 months, her mother passed away.   She was adopted by her aunt and uncle, Ella (Bosler) and Louis Koch.  She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord, IA.

     Valera attended country school and graduated from Inwood High School.  She then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, and then was a teacher in the Ellsworth, MN school system.

     Valera was united in marriage to Dale Wordelman on January 5, 1952, in Albuquerque, NM, where he was stationed with the U.S. Air Force.  A son, Dale Rollin (Rolly) was born in October 1952.  In 2007 Rolly’s daughter (Val’s granddaughter) was killed in a drive-by shooting in New Jersey along with her unborn baby.

     Valera was employed at Western Surety in Sioux Falls, SD.  When her uncle Bill and his son Robert Bosler lost their wife and mother, Valera made her home with them on the farm.  She assisted with running the household.  After Uncle Bill’s passing, Bob and Val eventually moved to Alvord, where she enjoyed her flowers, gardening, feeding ducks, birds, and other strays.  Her pet bird "Irish" was special to her.  She loved doing crafts, sewing, and reading which led her to donate her book collection to a dear friend.

     Her collecting hobby started with Elvis Presley and then expanded to beautiful Native American pieces and other memorabilia.  She later served on the board of directors of the Lyon County Historical Society.  Bob and Val thoroughly enjoyed overseeing the large antique display for the 1993 Alvord Centennial Celebration.

     Valera didn’t have a large immediate family but had a growing faith.  She breezed through the pandemic knowing the good Lord was always beside her.  Her comment was “If God knew all about me before I was born, then I trust Him to carry me through times like these for strength and guidance”.

     Valera is survived by a daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, extended family, and friends.

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