Valetta M. Kesler, at the age of 93, passed away on August 15, 2026, at Presbyterian Manor, Lawrence, Kansas. She was born February 14, 1933, to Herman and Frieda (Finkbeiner) Folkers in Trego County, Kansas.

Valetta attended Excelsior Grade School in Trego County, Kansas, and graduated from Trego County High School, WaKeeney, Kansas, with the class of 1950. Valetta then attended nursing training in Salina, Kansas, until December 1951.

On February 24, 1952, she married Roland D. Kesler of Quinter, Kansas. To this union were born four sons.

Roland and Valetta lived in rural Gove County, Kansas, for six years before moving to Quinter in 1959. Valetta worked part-time at both Graham’s Greenhouse and the Coast-to-Coast Store, both in Quinter, Kansas. In the 1960s, Valetta took organ lessons and eventually became the Quinter Church of the Brethren organist, a position she held for many years.

After Roland retired from the post office in 1987, they volunteered for two months a year for twenty years in New Windsor, Maryland, for SERV. The two spent three winter months each year for 25 years in McAllen, Texas. Roland and Valetta enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Valetta is survived by her four sons, Daryl of WaKeeney, Kansas, Rex (My Hanh) of Houston, Texas, Gary (Laura) of Ottawa, Kansas, and Lynn (Bonnie) of St. Cloud, Florida; her grandchildren, Jeff (Tara) Kesler, McKenzie (Thiago) Baby, Grady (Jessica) Kesler, Brice (Whitney) Kesler, Lucas Kesler, Catherine Kesler, Quinten Kesler, Jordan Long, and Christopher (Cuc) Long; her great-grandchildren, Matthew Kesler, Emma Kesler, Aubrey Kesler, Connor Kesler, Garrett Kesler, Emily Kesler, Kellan Kesler, Isabella Baby, Noah Baby, Kobe Long, and Sarah Long; and sister Corleen Morris.

Valetta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roland Kesler; her sisters, Marjorie Marcy, Dorothy Fuller, and Ruby Pranger; and brothers Eldon Folkers and Emery Folkers.

A funeral service will be held at the Quinter Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant St., on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with visitation at 9:30 AM and the funeral service at 10:30 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Quinter Senior Center or St. Croix Hospice. Donations made to either organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.