Valerie Lynn Brown was born April 17, 1959, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jack and Marlene (VanVleck) Brown. Shortly after her birth, they moved to Wall. Valerie attended Wall High School all 13 years, graduating in 1977. She attended college at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD, graduating in May of 1981. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Education, with emphasis in science. In August of that same year, Valerie had a telephone interview with the Superintendent of the Quanah High School in Texas. After checking her references, she was hired and started the second chapter of her life. During her 25 year teaching career in Quanah, she taught Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physiology and Anatomy. She was also the Cheerleading advisor in her early years, and for many years was the Junior Class advisor.
Valerie was united in marriage to Tim Emery on August 4, 1990 in Quanah. In December of 1995, Valerie and Tim were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Jennifer. Since that moment, Jennifer has always been the angel in her life. Valerie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Quanah.
Survivors include her husband Tim Emery of Quanah; one daughter Jennifer Emery of Quanah; her parents Jack and Marlene Brown of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; three sisters Lori Strobel of Sioux Falls, Stacy White and her husband Wayne of Rapid City, and Melanie Shull and her husband Wayne of Wall; one brother Jason Brown and his wife Kari of Shawnee, Kansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Valerie was preceded in death by her maternal grand parents Gilbert "Skinny" and Pearl Van Vleck and paternal grandparents Alfred and Viola Brown.
Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.
There was a family prayer service on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the chapel.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 8, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Brad Kattelmann officiating.
Interment was in the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established to a scholarship for a science student of Wall High School.
FUNERAL SERVICES:Saturday, September 8, 2007 10:00 a.m., United Methodist Church, Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY: Pastor Brad Kattelmann
MUSIC: Linda Sparkman – Pianist, Lane Shull – Vocalist: "How Great Thou Art", Congregational Hymn "Amazing Grace", "Pass It On"
USHERS: Jerry Johannesen – Jim Kjerstad – Bill Leonard
PALLBEARERS:Van Sparkman – Mike Hale, Adam Sumner – Bruce Kitterman,
Ty White – Zach Shull
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT: Wall Cemetery, Wall, South Dakota
Guest Book
We are so sorry to hear about Valerie. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the coming days and weeks.
Tom and Kamie Carmichael
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael
312 Grand Ave., Delta Co. 81416 (9/3/2007)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I have many fond memories of Valerie from our high school days. Valerie was a true friend, and a gentle soul - we will miss her.
~ Kent & Kelly Lurz
Wall, SD (9/3/2007)
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Valerie was a neat person, I remember her laugh, may she be at peace and not suffering. Cindy
~ Dan & Cindy Hauk
Wall, SD (9/3/2007)
I am so sorry to hear about Valerie. Please know you are all in my prayers. I will never forget her laugh and all the fun we had growing up and working at the Drive Inn. Take care.
~ Barb (Doyle) Croell
Sundance, WY (9/3/2007)
My thoughts and meditations are with Valerie and you, her family and friends. I know from personal experience that it is a terribly difficult time for you. May God be with you all.
~ Joie (Strandell) Willuweit
Estes Park, Colorado (9/3/2007)
My thoughts and prayers are with Melanie and the rest of the family. May God help you through this sad time.
~ Betty Bryan
Rapid City (9/3/2007)
I remember what a great person Valerie was and how much I enjoyed working with her at the Wall Drive-In. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family during the difficult days ahead. May you feel the comfort of God's hands during your time of need.
~ Bruce & Kathy Swan
Wall, SD (9/3/2007)
My heart and prayers are with you all. Valerie was very special to me.
~ Gigi
Texas (9/3/2007)
My sympathy goes out to all of Val's family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
~ Loretta White-Sheffield
Augusta, Georgia (9/3/2007)
May you feel the Lord's comfort and peace in your family's loss. Valerie was a wonderful, loving, caring, and giving person. She was a devoted mother and wife. There will be an empty place in the hearts of her family and friends. May each of you find God's peace in knowing that she has been restored to perfect health and is rejoicing in Heaven with her Savior. Valerie left wonderful memories and a legacy for her daughter, husband, parents, sisters, brother and other family and friends to always cherish. God Bless each of you
~ Gail
Texas (9/3/2007)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, we wish we could be there.
~ Pat and Patty Brown
109 W Spruce St Titusville Pa 16354 (9/3/2007)
Valerie was a sweet and gentle soul. I remember her as far back as the Girl Scout days in the basement of the Methodist Church. She was always kind. We pray that your families feel all the love and support right now that that precious community can give. You are all in our prayers.
~ Keith and Cathy Thompson
Vail, CO (9/3/2007)
We don't know the words to say that would help. We only can trust Jesus Christ will hold you all in His loving arms and with His Holy Spirit give you peace.
~ Monte and Martha Whitcher
(9/3/2007)
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may the Grace and Love of God be with you all.
~ Ken & Joan Renner
Prescott, AZ (9/3/2007)
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Valerie. Our thoughts have been with you daily, especially today. We will continue to hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Gary and Lisa James
4640 Middle Urbana Road Springfield Ohio 45503 (9/3/2007)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Scott, Lori, and Kegan Brown
45785 State Hwy 27, Titusville, PA 16354 (9/3/2007)