Velletta "Val" Coates

Velletta Grace Coates, one of sixteen children of Lillian Florence (Tilley) and John Joplin Anderson, was born on September 16, 1937 in Pilot Mound, Iowa. Fondly known as "Val", she grew up in Boone, Iowa and attended school through the 8th grade. Val proudly received her G.E.D. in 1981.

Val met Ronald Eugene Coates at Johnny's CafA(c) in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1959. The couple married on April 16, 1960 in Waterloo, Nebraska. They made their home in Malvern, Iowa, where Ron began a 30-year career in the livestock feed industry. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, Kevin, Cindy, Ronnie, Dianne, Deanne, Michael, Michelle, and Wendy.

Val was a homemaker and busy mother and had waitressed and cooked for most of her life. From 1970 to 1974, Val owned and operated Val's CafA(c) in Malvern. Everyone loved her homemade noodles and donuts. Val also cooked at the nursing home in Malvern when it was known as the Nishna Care Center.

Val and Ron enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. Val had a great talent with sewing, loved to quilt table runners, and do crafts. She could be found at area craft shows, displaying and selling her handmade items. Val especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Val and Ron were married 43 years when Ron passed away on June 25, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Val passed away January 6, 2012 at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha at the age of 74 years, 3 months, and 20 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ron; great granddaughter Hadleigh Griffin; son-in-law David Fritz; brothers, Harold Anderson, Joe Anderson, Bud Anderson, Jack Anderson, and Tom Anderson; and sisters, Leone Erickson, June Stoneburger, Doris Manford, Evelyn Gilliam, Honey Lou Hefler, and Irene Huntley.

Val is survived by her children, Kevin Anderson and wife Kathy of Glenwood, IA, Cindy Carnes and husband Steve, and Ronnie D. Coates and wife Karen, all of Malvern, Dianne Fritz and Bob Lewis of Tabor, IA, Deanne Buffington and husband Mike of Pacific Junction, IA, Michael Coates and wife Brandy of Hastings, IA, Michelle Study and husband Jason of Tabor, and Wendy Blackman and husband Chris of Malvern; 22 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; brothers, Gary Anderson and wife Pam, and Butch Anderson; and sisters, Peg Bielfelt and Lillian Lind and husband Maynard, all of Boone; and other relatives and friends.

Memorials suggested to Southwest Iowa 8 or Mills County Public Health.