Emmajane Valko

Emmajane Valko was born to Bill and Betty Ridge as their only daughter but second child. Her brother, Bob, lives in Pennsylvania, where she was born and raised. Emmajane was a beautiful and talented little girl who loved to dance and grew into an eye-catching young lady who became the Head Majorette at Scott High School. After high school, she began schooling for nursing, which explains her compassionate heart. She has always been a woman who cared deeply for and loved intensely those around her.
Then one evening at a local dance, Jack Valko saw something that would change the rest of his life. He saw an elegant, classy young lady who stole his heart. Eighteen short months later, Jack and Emmajane wed on a sunny day in June back in 1963. What a wonderful celebration we all had just over one year ago as everyone celebrated their 50th anniversary.
In the many years leading up to this past anniversary, Emmajane had many reasons to celebrate. She raised three children (Steven, Sharon and John) and was blessed by 8 grandchildren, all of whom adored her. She knew exactly how to speak to their hearts—and that began in their stomachs. She was gifted with a love of cooking and a desire to fill every belly in her proximity.
Emmajane’s compassion was by no means limited to people—she had a love for animals that permeated her and her family’s life. We had every kind of animal as a pet growing up, and Mom loved riding horses and sharing that love with her daughter for many years. There was always at least one or two dogs and cats in our home at all times. And she supported many charitable causes related to the care of animals.
She also had an incredible talent for making the world around her more beautiful with her silk flower arrangements and baskets. But her greatest contribution to all of our lives was just simply by being herself. She touched the lives and hearts of everyone who came to know her. And she is greatly missed right now and will never be forgotten.
We thank the Lord for placing her in our lives and find peace knowing she is smiling down on us from heaven.