Ann Valder and her family moved to Las Vegas in 1957 where she quickly became involved in community activities by volunteering in schools, churches and civic organizations. In 1958, she became supervisor for Welcome Wagon and then as “Kathy Keno,” she handled promotional activities for Radio KENO. Leaving there she conducted a weekly television show until she was employed at the Review Journal newspaper as a columnist in 1964 followed by an appointment as assistant women’s editor and food editor. After 9 years she moved to the Valley Times as women’s editor. In 1977, she returned to the Review Journal as assistant society editor, a position she held until her retirement in 1983.

Born Anna May Ridgeway on June 5, 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri, she was the second child and only daughter of Henry Mills Ridgeway and Braden Estella Payne Ridgeway. Her father was a mechanical engineer and inventor of the first a/c spark plug. Ann remained in Kansas City until the age of 10 when her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. A year later, she was sent to boarding school for two years while her parents struggled with their marriage. Her parents ultimately divorced and her mother remarried C. R. Cedarstrom, a railroad executive of the Rock Island Railroad Line. In these formative years Ann learned much of the caring skills that would mark her later life. Ann and her mother played active roles in the Salvation Army during the great depression by working in feeding kitchens and helping to clothe children.

In July, 1941, Ann married Beverly Chester Valder whose family operated a chain of bakeries in Des Moines, Iowa. At the time of their marriage he was employed by the State of Iowa as an accountant, a position he left for the U.S. Army. After the war he went to work for the Internal Revenue Service. Ann remained in Des Moines during her husband’s time in the service and realized her dream of nurses training. She became a health services educator-director for the U. S. Public Health Service. They moved for a short time to Phoenix, Arizona where R. C. had an accounting business. Upon their return to Iowa Ann worked for RKO Radio. B.C.’s job transferred them around the state often, but each time Ann found her niche by volunteering in school, churches and community work.

In addition to her paid employment, she donated time to many worthy causes including First Presbyterian’s youth group, the West Charleston Elementary PTA, Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. She assumed the responsibilities for public relations, volunteers and corporate fundraising for Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital and co-founded the Hospital Foundation. Ann did fund-raising for the Kidney Foundation, Planned Parenthood, the University Medical Center’s Auxiliary, the Southern Nevada Museum and a host of other civic groups. She was involved with D.A.R., a member of the Mesquite Club, the Press Club, Altrusa and DOVIA as well as a frequent cooking judge for local competitions. She participated nationally as a judge for the Betty Crocker cook-offs.

In addition, she served on panels for the Beef, Lamb and Wool Councils. Even after her retirement she continued to contribute articles for the “Out and About” column in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper.

Ann Valder passed away on June 15, 1987 and is survived by three children; Elizabeth Foyt, Terry, and John Valder. Her life and interests are reflected in the donations made in her name to the National Kidney Foundation of Nevada, the University Medical Center Foundation, the Las Vegas Genealogical Library, the UNLV Library, the Southern Nevada Museum, Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada and the D.A.R. Museum in Washington.