Bernice A."Penny" Valley

Bernice A."Penny" Valley, formerly of Clarion, passed away on October 24, 2024, at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona. 

Penny was born on March 27, 1928, in Stacyville, Iowa, to Hubert and Laura (Kramer) Puettmann and was the second of five siblings. She graduated from what was then the Hamilton School of Commerce in Mason City in April 1946, at the age of 18, with a secretarial certificate. She was married to Ivan R. Valley in Mason City on February 5, 1949. Penny and Ivan were the proud parents of David, Barbara, Amy and Virginia. They spent several years on the farm in Galt, Iowa, before moving to Clarion in 1962 where Ivan worked as a mechanic and Penny worked in a law office in Belmond and for the abstract office in Clarion. She was appointed as deputy treasurer of Wright County in 1969 and held that position for 14 years before being elected Wright County Treasurer in 1984. She retired from that role in 1994 and moved to Altoona in 2005. 

Penny loved traveling, taking numerous bus tours around the United States and a group tour to Rome. She was an active member of St. John Catholic Church in Clarion and Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church in Altoona. She loved dancing, having met Ivan at the Surf Ballroom in 1948, as well as reading and catching up on letters and photos from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed the social aspects of life at Prairie Vista Village, sharing stories with other residents over meals and the occasional group margarita night!

Penny is survived by her brother Wilbur Puettmann of Staceyville; her children David (Sallie) Valley, Amy (Ray) Sprague, and Virginia (Tim) Barker; son-in-law Sam McAllister; grandchildren Michael (Mary) Morris, Ivy Sprague, Clayton (Sarah) Sprague, Patrick (Glyndee) Valley, James (Destini) McAllister and Emily (Francisco) McAllister Padilla; and great-grandchildren Ian Morris, Chloe Sprague, Keslee Sprague, Joshua Valley and Christopher Valley, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends. 

Penny was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings and her daughter Barbara McAllister. 

Private family graveside services will be held at St. Johns Cemetery in Clarion at a later date.