Born November 16, 1926, at her parents' home near Greenleaf, KS, Valera Hermena Harz Wieters was the daughter of Otto Carl Harz and Hermena Clara Genschorck Harz. She was baptized December 4, 1926, by Pastor Theodore Stolp. On March 17, 1940, she was confirmed by Pastor Oscar Bohnert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf.

Valera attended seven years at Logan Center School and the eighth grade at Bethlehem Lutheran. She graduated from Greenleaf High School as Valedictorian in May 1944. Attending Emporia State University and Kansas State University, she graduated from KSU, Manhattan, KS, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Her graduate studies were at Washburn University and Fort Hays State University.

For 43 ½ years, Valera taught grades one through nine in the Kansas schools of Mahaska, Waterville, Barnes, Washington, and Obee School in the Buhler district. In addition to teaching the combination room of 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in Mahaska, Valera taught music to all eight grades, gave 14 piano lessons a week, and directed the operettas of 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'Cinderella'. In the Waterville and Barnes schools, besides the combination rooms, she was the piano accompanist for the grade and high school music departments. At Washington, she wrote the script for the musical 'Around the World' for the all-school May Fete. In the summer, she taught 7th, 8th and 9th grades. At Obee, Valera taught combination rooms for first through sixth grades and tutored students in the summers. Mrs. Wieters was a mentor to beginning teachers in all the schools she served.

While teaching and in retirement, she wrote and edited resumes, books for publishing, and papers and master theses for college students, in addition to tutoring them. Valera wrote out diplomas for eighth graders in Washington and the sixth grade graduations at Obee in her stylized cursive.

Some of the numerous honors Valera earned throughout her lifetime included being recognized as Who's Who Among America's Teachers and Master Teacher in District USD 222, Washington Public Schools. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kansas State University and was a member of the National Scholastic Honorary Society, Phi Kappa Phi, and other professional and retired teachers' organizations.  In addition, Valera was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and Hutchinson Community Concerts, volunteering since 1979 and serving on their Board of Directors.

On July 31, 1949, Valera married Ivan Wieters at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  They shared 65 years of marriage, before his death in 2015.

While living in Greenleaf, she taught Sunday school for 27 years.  Valera and Ivan lived at Greenleaf until November 16, 1977, when they moved to Hutchinson.  They became members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Valera served on several committees and boards in both churches.

Valera and Ivan loved to travel, especially to Branson, MO, where they would join friends. They had a number of special trips both inside and outside the country. Valera was a caregiver for immediate members of her family. Her interests encompassed education-her love of teaching, her students; Bible studies, reading, writing, editing. traveling, music, dancing, gardening, and her stylized cursive writing.

Survivors include: sister, Darlene Harvey, Topeka; niece, Dr. Sheryl Long (Warren) and their children, Keith and Ryan Long, Irvine, CA; nephew, Rick Miller (Rebecca) and their children, Amanda Miller and Michael Miller-Knittle, Lake Elsinore, CA; sisters-in law, Faye Kennedy (Larry), Sun City, AZ, Wanda Wieters, Peoria, AZ; many nieces and nephews; and numerous children and adults who asked if Valera and Ivan would be their godparents.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Ivan; infant sister, Nadine Harz; and sister, Elaine Harz Miller.

Memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2020, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12 ^th , Hutchinson, with Pastors Quentin Nuttmann and Henry Blickhahn officiating.  Private graveside service was held in Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Greenleaf.  Friends may sign the book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.

Valera's family has created a memory page of her life.  To view it, click on the following link: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/ValeraWietersofKS/

To view the service on-line, go to the website for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, https://www.orlhutch.org/ and scroll down until you see 'we live stream our services'.  Click on this link and you should be able to view Valera's memorial service.