Cover photo for Kam Valentine's Obituary
1940 Kam 2020

Kam Valentine

March 7, 1940 — November 14, 2020

Kam was born in Glasgow Montana on March 7, 1940 to Hazel and Kamp Grundmeyer, the youngest of two children.  Kam is survived by her brother, Steve Grundmeyer in Reno, NV.  As a child, Kam took violin and piano lessons and music brought her joy. She loved music although her favorites were classic, 50’s and country. As a child she loved spending time with her grandparents in Montana.  She met her best friend, Elinor in 6th grade and they remained lifelong friends.  She moved to Idaho Falls Idaho in grade school.  As a teenager, she worked at Sids and passed on stories of the fun she had.   In high school, Kam was a Tigerette and an active member of Job’s daughters.  She enjoyed going to high school dances and always had a full dance card.  A favorite family story is about a time when she missed her high school graduation due to an illness.  Her mom, Hazel, asked her if she might feel better if she got up and did some ironing and it has become a family joke for anyone sick.   She met Ray while in college, she played hard to get although he was obviously persistent.  They eloped to Elko, NV and were married on March 25, 1961.  On their way to get married, their car broke down and they hitchhiked to their wedding.   Kam was pursuing her Registered Nursing degree at the time.  Kam and Ray had four children, Raymond Kamp “RK” , Risa Kit, Rhett Keith and Rana Kele, her family was at the center of her life.  She was the proud grandma of seven grandchildren, RK gifted her with Rayce; Risa with Koltyn and Kasydi; Rhett and Risha with Rianna, Koryn and Elle, and Rana and Rob with Hunter. She was blessed to know many great grands; Rayce and Sara with Rylin and Rallye, Koryn and Trevor with Gunnar, Kinsley and Nash.  She was looking forward to meeting Wyatt, who Rianna and Jake are expecting in January, 2021.

Kam and Ray lived in many cities across the U.S. and she said being married to Ray, a contractor, was much like being married to someone serving in the military, you go where the work is… wherever she went her laughter was contagious and she was known for being warm and treating everyone like a member of her family.  Her career in nursing was primarily administrative having worked as Director of Nursing at Hillcrest Hospital in Ohio, a nurse at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, taught CPR at the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City and the majority of her career was spent at Colorado Foundation for Medical Care in Denver as Communication Director. She also worked for Primaris remotely, after Ray retired, developing proposals.  Although she was a working mom, she spent endless hours driving and watching her children and grandchildren participate in activities; swimming, boxing, wrestling, skiing, swimming, golfing, dancing, cheerleading and poms, soccer, biking, track and field, riding horses and motorcycles and never missed the chance to support and cheer on her family.

Following Kam's retirement, the travel began including trips down the Pacific Coast Highway, trips to Montana, time at Ruidoso Downs, and the Oregon Coast with Kam's brother Steve and his wife Deanna. During the years, time was spent in Las Vegas and Reno. Ray and Kam felt lucky to go to Hawaii with Kam's parents prior to their passing.  We were thrilled to have Elle go with them to Ft. Peck Montana, Glacier, Yellowstone and through Idaho.  After Ray’s death, her travel continued and she went to Disney World with Risa’s family and with the entire family, including Steve and Deanna meeting in Las Vegas to celebrate her “80th” birthday in March 2020.   She took up skiing and riding horses again at 79.  Late this summer, she went to a horse show in Montrose, CO and most recently spent the day with Rhett, practicing shooting.  She remarked while in the hospital that she was glad she lived through election day so her vote counted.

She lived a life with peaks and valleys, she was an optimist who believed that everything always worked out, and that the “surprises” along the way were opportunities.  She was fun, and had a positive impact on everyone who knew her.  She will be remembered for the joy and laughter she brought to the lives of everyone she knew and she will live on through her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Living Life by Bonnie L. Mohr

Life is not a race - but indeed a journey.  Be honest.  Work hard. Be choosy.

Say “thank you”, “I love you”, and “great job” to someone every day.

Go to church and take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.

Let your handshake mean more than paper. Love your life and what

you’ve been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it

as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which

you aspire to be. Laugh often.  Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.

Some of the best things really are free.  Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.

Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself ~ plan for longevity.

Recognize the special people you’ve been blessed to know.

Live for today.  Enjoy the moment.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kam Valentine, please visit our flower store.

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