Valeta Whitehead

VALETA (VAL) M. WHITEHEAD

Cedar Rapids

Valeta (Val) M. Whitehead, 95, of Summit Pointe Senior Living in Marion, Iowa, died Saturday, March 3, in her home following a courageous battle with cancer. Survivors include her six children, Nancy (Paul) Black, Susan (Cliff - deceased) Batchelder, Mike (Kris) Whitehead, Margaret (Jonathan) Shore, Lisa (Erik) Seyring and Lana Ortega; 11 grandchildren, Shana (Black) Malinski, Aubree (Black) Cupitt, Bryan Batchelder, Cari (Whitehead) Kaut, Denise (Whitehead) Hale, Jessica and Matthew Shore, Jackie and Peter Seyring, Allison and Evan Ortega; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry; brothers, Harold, Elzo and Clifford Kirk; and triplet grandchildren, Shelli, Shawn and Shannon Black.

She was born Dec. 20, 1922, in Alburnett, Iowa, to Eldon and Leona (McNeil) Kirk and married Harry J. Whitehead on May 26, 1946, in Cedar Rapids. She served in the WAVES during World War II as a decoder. She was an avid quilter and golfer as well as a huge Hawkeyes fan. Valeta was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family will greet friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, with services and full military honors to follow at 11 a.m. Her celebration of life will be officiated by Dr. James Coyle. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Care/UnityPoint Health, 855 A Ave. #105, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, www.unitypoint.org.

Please leave a message, tribute or memorial to the Whitehead family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under "Obituaries."