Valerie was born March 30, 1932, in Fort Scott, KS, to James Wheeler and Marie E. (Hergenreder) McKee. She was baptized and confirmed in Fort Scott, KS, where she attended elementary school. At the beginning of high school, she moved with her family to Chipeta Park, CO. It was there that Val met Dean Smischny, who would soon become the love of her life. She attended Manitou Springs High School, graduating in 1950. After high school, she attended college at Fort Collins, CO A&M before joining Dean in Nagoya, Japan where he was stationed in the Air Force. They married on October 12, 1952.
Nagoya
Aichi
Japan
Englewood
Colorado
United-states
Lake-lida
Minnesota
Pelican-rapids
Chipeta
Littleton
Fort-collins