Valerie M. Cross

Valerie M. CROSS April 14, 1921 ~ June 23, 2011 Valerie M Cross, 90 years old and lately of Covington, Washington passed away after a stroke on June 23, 2011. Born with a head of curls on April 14, 1921 on the farm near Antwerp, Ohio, Valerie was one of 14 children born to Henry & Amelia (Schantz) Mueller. Growing up on a farm, 'Curly's' first job was milking the cow, Peggy. She remembered that when there was company, she'd offer them a drink as she sat and milked and then would simply give them a good squirt of warm milk right into their mouths. Valerie attended the local school and loved learning. She graduated from 8th grade and would have happily continued but her parents told her that she was needed on the farm and so Curly stayed home to help her parents, brothers & sisters. Valerie remembered going out in the field and working with her father & brothers, then returning in the evening to help her mother prepare dinner for the family. Later in life, Valerie earned her GED. She loved reading and learning all her days. When Curly turned 16 years old in 1937, she was sent to live with a couple that needed someone to care for their dying father. She was told that she would be leaving home just a few hours beforehand. Curly packed her few belongings into a paper bag and was then driven by her parents to meet the couple not too far from the farm. Both Valerie & her parents met Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Beatrice Moseley for the first time that day. Valerie landed well with these kind, loving & generous people who took her into their home and hearts. She cared for Harry Moseley's father until he died, then continued to live with the Moseley's for a number of years more. When Valerie married, there was a 3rd set of honorary parents at the wedding table. After World War II, Valerie married Ralph Joseph Cross of Detroit, MI on March 2, 1946. They moved to Lansing, MI where Ralph studied horticulture at Michigan State University (MSU) until Valerie became pregnant with their first child. This fine lady and mother gave birth to and raised five healthy children. As education was so important to her, Valerie was very encouraging of & proud that all of her children graduated from high school and several of them graduated from university. In addition to keeping home & hearth, Valerie worked part time for many years at both Hudson's & Montgomery Wards to help with the expenses of raising her family - especially of paying for Rosary and Bishop Borgess High Schools. Just a few years after raising her family, Valerie lost her much-loved husband Ralph, after an extended illness, during which she cared for him at home. These were tough years for Curly as she had lost her father Henry in 1978, her eldest daughter Janet in 1979 and her mother Amelia in 1980. Her husband Ralph had a stroke in 1981 and died of ALS in 1982. Even after all this loss, Valerie's inner strength and resolve carried her well into this next chapter of her life. In 1983-4, her daughter Patt & grandson Eric came to live with her at the family home in Detroit for a number of years. They created a small lovely vegetable garden together and took care of the house and gardens as lovingly as when Dad had been alive. After Patt & Eric moved into their own place again, Mother decided that she was ready to let the old place go and so did all the work it needed in order to sell up and move closer to her other children out near Seattle, WA. Valerie moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1987 where she lived in Kent, WA - to be nearer to her children - for the next 15 years. She was actively involved in the Kent Senior Center where she played and taught bridge. She played cutthroat bridge & loved doing the crosswords. Val moved to north Seattle - the Shoreline area - in the early 2000's and again, enjoyed many good years at the Edmonds & Lynnwood Senior Centers - especially around the bridge table. Curly loved nature in all its forms and the Pacific NW supplied plenty of that: Visits to Mt Rainier, the Cascades & Olympics, trips to spend time on the Pacific Ocean - especially LaPush - bird watching, walking & hiking both locally and many times up in the Cascades - all of these things brought her so much pleasure. Having a visit with family and friends in the evenings with a gin & tonic and cheese & crackers - the good life was enjoyed to the fullest with many celebrations and good food - a life full of love and simple pleasures. Valerie shared her love and knowledge of gardening with her daughter Mary for many years and so in her final years when Curly could no longer garden, Mary made sure she had a beautiful deck full of flowers & a shady perennial garden to enjoy. Then in the fall of 2010 when she'd been living alone for the best part of 29 years, and when Val's health no longer allowed her to live independently, she moved to Covington, WA to live with her daughter and son (in-law), Mary and Dwight. Val was active socially and will be missed by her dear family & friends. She treasured & loved them all so very much, often sharing memories of the special moments. Valerie so appreciated all the calls & cards that she received from her family and friends - especially during her last 10 months. Valerie is survived by her children Margaret Cross of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Mary Cross and her husband Dwight Milholland of Covington, WA and Martin Cross of Mukilteo, WA, grandchildren Myles Milholland of Ballard, WA, Eric (& Kayla) Parker of Dearborn, MI, Dallas Milholland of Seattle, WA, Alexander Cross of Seattle, WA, Sophie & Sadie (Cross) Clay of Lake Forest Park, WA, and 2 great grandchildren of Eric Parker, Alexander & Zachary. Valerie is also survived by her older sister, Rose, and her younger brothers & sisters Oliver (& Carol) Mueller of Adrian, MI, Robert (& Alice) Mueller of Deerfield, MI, Rita (& David) Woods of Britton, MI, Bonnie Sassak of Phoenix, AZ, Carol (& Philip) Bischoff of Ottawa Lake, MI, and Arlene Mueller of Ann Arbor, MI and many nieces & nephews. Valerie's husband Ralph J Cross preceded her in death on 6/2/1982. She also lost her daughters, Janet M Roberge on 1/25/1979 & Patricia A Parker on 11/17/1998. Please sign the online guest book at www.eycfc.com