Valene Bradshaw Fluckiger

1933 - 2023

Caldwell - Valene Bradshaw Fluckiger was born in Montwell, Duchesne County, Utah on April 16, 1933, Easter morning, to Freda Belle Corbett and Earl Clifford Bradshaw. The neighbor boy thought the Easter Bunny brought her. Valene had an older sister, Helen Bradshaw Morris, and has a younger brother, Jack C Bradshaw.

Valene grew up on a farm in Emmett Valley. She helped her father milk cows, wash milking machines, drive horses and the tractor to haul hay, herd and feed sheep and other chores around the farm. Valene also picked and canned vegetables and fruit, and prepared large dinners for the crews.

Her mother was a school teacher and taught Valene's fourth grade class. Valene was intelligent and studious. She was valedictorian of her Emmett High School Graduating Class. Valene went on to become a school teacher like her mother.

Valene attended three years at Brigham Young University and one year at Utah State University. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English Education. Valene went on to earn a Master's Degree from Boise State University.

After Valene's first year at Brigham Young University, she returned home for the summer to work for Ray Dewey, her Stake President, on the fruit sorting belts. It was that summer she met Lyman Burton Fluckiger. He was called L. Burton by his family. Valene called him Burt. Burt moved to Emmett after his mission. Valene thought he was the most handsome young man that had ever graced the doors of the Letha church. Burt began working at the fruit packing sheds and Ray Dewey introduced Burt to Valene by having Burt lift cherry boxes for her which she was perfectly capable of doing herself. From there, a friend invited them to a movie with her and her husband. Who would have guessed that Valene would be sitting on Burt's lap to and from the movie in a small pickup cab? They were intended to be together. They were married on May 20, 1954 in the Logan Temple in Logan, Utah. They raised seven children, four girls and three boys.

Burt worked as a Dentist. Valene taught 5th grade in Malad, Idaho in 1956. She taught high school English in St. Anthony, Idaho in 1968-1969. She tutored at Marsing Junior High and High School in 1982. In 1983 until retirement, she taught Chapter I and Developmental Reading in Nampa, Idaho at South and West Junior High School.

Valene was very resourceful. She learned to bake, cook, bottle vegetables and fruit. She could sew, quilt, knit, crochet, and play the piano. She taught her children beginning piano lessons. She loved to host dinners and get-togethers. She taught good manners. She was a gracious hostess and served delicious food. She knew how to make every holiday fun, with baking, cooking, and game playing. She was very good at playing strategic games like chess. She was a competitive player in Rook and Spoons.

She was fun loving and willing to try new things. She took snow ski lessons with the family. She took it in stride when her high school English students watched her tumble down the mountain.

Valene was known for her kindness, service, and charity. She taught by example. She taught kindness and never sought revenge. She was a devoted wife and mother. She loved and served her family, friends, and God. She served in many church callings. She was Primary President, Counselor in Primary, MIA and Relief Society, teacher in Primary, Sunday School, and Relief Society, MIA Drama Director, Teacher Trainer, Cub Scout leader, Library Director, Stake Missionary, and Family History Center Assistant. She served a two-year Church Service Mission with her husband with Church Family Services, the Addiction Recovery Program.

Valene passed away at home on March 10, 2023 from coronary artery disease. She was one month away from her 90th birthday.

Valene is survived by brother Jack C Bradshaw, seven children: Ilene Fluckiger Kuhns, Debra Fluckiger Matheson (Kirk), Cris Bradshaw Fluckiger (Micki Ashdown), Michelle Fluckiger (Corey Stoutenburg), Dirk Bradshaw Fluckiger (Sherene Jensen), Tracy Fluckiger Rummler (Russell), and Jared Bradshaw Fluckiger (Kendra Hogg), 21 grand-children: Kristian Burton Kuhns (Kristina), Camilla Esther Kuhns (Franklin Jones), Jamie Sierra Fluckiger (Nate Keuneke), Breeanne Matheson (Dan Hilker), Sarah Jean Kuhns (Deane Southworth), Wyatt James Fluckiger, Trent Joel Matheson (AliceNicole Sager), Seth David Kuhns, Colton Parker Matheson (Miara Farnsworth), Gavin Ray Rummler (Andi), Asher Camden Rummler (Sophie), Jarom Jensen Fluckiger, Lorin Burton Fluckiger, Andison Fluckiger, Bridger Jack Fluckiger, Campbell Fluckiger, Aftyn Eleanor Rummler, Corbin Fluckiger, Lillian May Fluckiger, Brennan Fluckiger, Brayden Dirk Fluckiger and 7 great grand-children: RubyLyn Lucille Keuneke, Azurite Tuireann Keuneke, Valene Belle Kuhns, Zenalynne Eve Quiambao Rummler, Bryony Rose Rummler, Felix Ollie Matheson, and Burton Gene Kuhns. She is preceded in death by her parents, Freda Belle Corbett and Earl Clifford Bradshaw, sister, Helen Morris, and grandson, Stephen Kuhns.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Caldwell Idaho Stake Center, 3015 S. Kimball Ave). The viewing will be Friday, the 17th from 6 to 8 p.m. (also at the Stake Center) and one hour prior to the funeral.