Valentine Mathes was born on September 11, 1906, four miles North of Pella, Iowa. He was the oldest of ten children that were born to John N. and Jeannette Vos Mathes. Valentine received his formal education at the European No. 3 Country Grade School. On March 16, 1944, he was united in marriage with Jennie Caroline Roose. They were married in the home of her parents, William J. and Gertie Hollander Roose, southwest of Leighton, Iowa. To this union two children were born: Gweneth Jean and John Wilmer. Valentine and Jennie began their married life together on a farm near Otley, Iowa. They then moved east of Pella and during most of their working years lived west of Pella and in the Otley area. Valentine farmed all these years and in 1964 they retired from farming and moved into Pella. He had been a 4-H leader for many years. Valentine then worked as a painter and as a custodian for Central College in Pella for 18 years. He was also a substitute janitor at First Reformed Church in Pella for 19 years. Valentine retired from his work employment in 1985 but remained active with the Red Rock Threshers on threshing day. He had been a member of the Red Rock Threshers Club since 1977 and enjoyed collecting toy tractors. He also enjoyed spending time at the Community Center doing men's crafts. Valentine was a faithful, lifelong member of the First Reformed Church of Pella where he taught Sunday School, was active with the Mens Brotherhood and had been a member of the Dutch Choir. As he and Jennie advanced in age they moved from their home, 803 West 3rd Street, into Fair Haven in 1993. It was there that she passed away March 28, 1995 at the age of 91 years. Valentine continued to reside at Fair Haven until becoming a resident at the Pella Regional Health Center in November of 2007. Valentine was cared for in the Long Term Care Unit there the remaining days of his 102 years, 2 months and 7 days of his life. Those who will remember his long life are his two children and their spouses, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They are: Gweneth and John L. Krueger and their two children: Lawrence and Robert Krueger of Plymouth, Wisconsin; John W. and JoAnn (Kimzey) Mathes of Sycamore, Illinois and four children: Tyler Mathes of Sycamore; Rachel and Bill Hostetter and their two children: Brandon and Garrett of Colfax, Iowa; Justin and Tricia Mathes of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Sarah and Kurt Offringa of Grandville, Michigan. Of his original family of ten siblings Valentine leaves five sisters: Sarah Mathes, Esther (Herman) Slykhuis, Mable (Edward) De Vries, Evelyn (Arie) Beyer, Edith and her husband, Irvin Huyser all of Pella; and two brothers: Ervin Mathes and Harold Mathes both of Pella. Of his wife's family, Valentine leaves her sister, Gertrude (Henry) Wassink and her sister-in-law, Evadena (Wilbur E.) Roose of Pella. Valentine was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie; a grandson, Baby Krueger, who died in infancy; his parents, John N. and Jeannette Mathes; his parents-in-law, William J. and Gertie Roose; his sister, Agnes Mathes; his brother, William Mathes; three brothers-in-law: Herman Slykhuis, Arie Beyer, and Edward De Vries; his sisters-in-law: Beulah (William) Mathes, Johanna (Ervin) Mathes and Pauline (Harold) Mathes; and three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law: Garret W. and Bess Roose, Wilbur E. Roose and Henry Wassink.