Mary Frances Valley, 86, lifelong resident of Topeka, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at a Topeka hospital.


She was born on May 5, 1927, in Marysville, the daughter of Harry James and Zelma May (Norris) Artman. She was the granddaughter of Charles & Rose Norris, lifelong residents of Valley Falls. She attended Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri, majoring in art. On February 14, 1975, she married Bryce. K "Chuck" Valley at St. David's Episcopal Church in Topeka. He preceded her in death on August 19, 2003.

Mary had worked as a dental hygienist in Topeka, and later sold real estate for the family firm, Valley Realtors in Topeka. She was a 30-year member of a bridge club that included Stefani Jehlik, Barbara Bunten and others and a longtime member of the Topeka Country Club.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Kay Artman, Topeka, Susan Bass, and her husband, Alan of Raymore, MO, and Karen Knieff, and her husband, John, San Diego, CA; her son, John Valley, and his wife, Stephanie, Topeka; her brother, Norris Gene Artman, Hays; her grandchildren, Hilliary Rolls Kelly, and her husband, Jason, Boston, MA, Rosemary M. Doss, and her husband, Paul, O'Fallon, MO, Bryce and Baker Valley, both of Topeka, and Johanna, Jason and Jessica Knieff, all of San Diego, CA; and her three great-granddaughters, Aubrey, Madelyn and Quinn. In addition to her husband, Mary was also preceded in death by her brother, Jim Artman.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka. There will be no formal visitation. Burial will follow at the Valley Falls Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Helping Hands Humane Society and may be sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, 66088.