Valetta Stroble went on to be with the Lord January 4, 2015, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her five children at her passing.
King Soloman observed, "To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The Bible says there is a time to be born, and for little Valetta Penka that time came March 9, 1934, in Larned. Valetta was born to John and Mary Penka.
The Bible also says there is a time to love, and for beautiful Valetta Penka that time came in 1954 when she was married at the age of 20 to the love of her life, Bob Stroble. To this happy union were born five children: two daughters, Jan Plummer of Newton, and Julie Taylor of Joplin, Missouri, and three sons, John Stroble of Edmond, Oklahoma, Bob Stroble of Manhattan, and Wade Stroble of Newton.
The Bible also says there is a time to plant and a time to sew. Bob and Valetta moved to Newton in 1965 and raised their five children. Valetta was a longtime employee of Dillon's Market and a keeper of home.
The Bible says there is a time to weep and a time to mourn. Valetta's husband Bob passed away six years ago and her brother Norman Penka preceded her in death, but her family continued to grow. The Bible says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time" and for Valetta that time was having 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She loved being around all of the babies, she said "they made her feel young."
Valetta leaves two sisters, Cleta Jackson of Wichita, and Jo Penka of Wichita, and two brothers, Al Penka in Lancaster, California, and Don Penka of Great Bend.
The Bible also says, "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). So we rejoice, for this is a gift of God. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015, with family present from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton, with burial immediately following at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newton. Arrangements by Petersen Funeral Home. Memorial suggestion Good Shepherd Hospice.
