Walaska Battenburg

Walaska Ruth Kohler Battenburg (died July 4, 2018 at 102), the first of 4 children, was born on St. Patrick's Day in 1916, above the hardware store owned and run by her mother and grandmother. The store was on the edge of Chicago's Chinatown and down the street from Al Capone's hotel. She was a strong personality from that day on. She has been known by a number of names - Wally, Lockie, and finally Val. She worked as a waitress at the 1933-34 Century of Progress in Chicago. Her father refused to let her go to art school and the depression kept her at home to go to the University of Chicago and Chicago Teachers' college. She taught high school business in Paxton, Illinois, where she also coached the cheerleaders. With her first pay check Val bought a life-time membership to the Art Institute of Chicago. It was still good in 2008. Val married Henry Battenburg in 1940 in Chicago; they had 2 children, Alan (Susan) in 1944 and Ruth (James Walts) in 1946 and one granddaughter, Adrienne Walts in 1981. She continued to work as a substitute teacher. In the '50's Val renewed her interest in being an artist and started taking painting lessons. She was prolific in oils, acrylics and water colors. During their 59 years of marriage,Val and Henry lived in Chicago, St. Louis and retired to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She was active in education, civic, P.E.O., artistic, and church activities. In 2000, a year after Henry died, Val moved to Madonna Towers. Being very outgoing, Val made wonderful friends and had a rewarding life here in Rochester. She took up writing poetry, some of which has been published in the Post Bulletin. She is survived by her 2 children, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, youngest sister, and many loving nieces and nephews and their children. The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Madonna Towers, Visiting Angels, Seasons Hospice, Hawa, Touran, Vera, and our wonderful friends for their care and their hearts, given so generously to Val. A memorial service will be held at Madonna Towers on Thursday, August 16, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts to Madonna Towers, Seasons Hospice, First Presbyterian Church of Rochester, P.E.O., The Art Institute of Chicago, or a charity of their choice. Arrangements are entrusted Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 507-289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com