Valda J. Embree, 85, of Le Mars passed away at her home on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. A Memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars. Rev. John Battern will officiate. Burial will take place at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. There will be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the Memorial Service.

Ms. Valda Joan Embree was born on April 14, 1930 in York, Nebraska to Burton and Esther (Yost) Franz. She attended York College where she met her future husband, Robert A. Embree, who also was a student at the college. The two were united in marriage on August 23, 1950 in her Sutton, Nebraska home church.

After working at several office positions in Ohio while her husband was in graduate school, the couple moved back to Nebraska where she remained at home to raise their family. In 1958, they moved to Le Mars, Iowa where her husband taught psychology courses at Westmar College. In 1971, Ms. Embree completed her undergraduate work at Westmar and, in 1972, became Alumni Director at the college. For the next twenty years, she was active in higher education and held positions as Director of Alumni Activities, Director of Admissions and Director of Development. She was instrumental in bringing the York College Alumni into an active relationship with Westmar College.

During her tenure at the school, she became the first woman Vice President at Westmar University directing the Centennial Capital Campaign in 1990. Valda retired in 1993 due to health problems.

She was active in community affairs serving as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador as well as a Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member. She was also active on the Le Mars Public Library Board, Woman of Excellence Siouxland Board, Planned Parenthood Board, American Cancer Society Board, the American Heart Association Board, and the Teikyo Westmar Board. She was also a member of the United Methodist Church of Le Mars, PEO and Le Mars Woman’s Club as well as numerous professional development organizations. She was a member of two national honor societies, Psi Chi and Alpha Chi, and was recognized by Who’s Who Worldwide for her Leadership accomplishments.

Ms. Embree was an avid reader. She has written several short stories which have been published. She also enjoyed writing poems reflecting her keen observation of people and nature.

She is preceded death by her parents and one sister, LaVon Franz.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; sons, Dr. Marlowe (Diane) Embree of Wausau, Wisconsin and Dr. Rodney (Carla) Embree of Fort Wayne, Indiana and two grandchildren, Isaac and Eden Embree.

Memorial tributes can be directed to the FIF Fund of The United Methodist Church of Le Mars.

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