Lelia C. Valentine

Lelia C. Valentine, age 94, of Bernard, IA, passed away peacefully at 11:00 p.m., surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at her home. To honor Lelia's life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2015, at Holy Family Church, 16500 Holy Family Lane, with Rev. Michael J. Podhajsky officiating. To celebrate Lelia's life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture wake service held at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Sylvia Switch, Iowa. Lelia was born on September 19, 1920, in Holy Cross, Iowa, daughter of Dominic and Susan (Dress) Schmit. Lelia was united in marriage to Irvin J. Valentine on February 28, 1938, at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque. He preceded her in death, after 62 blessed years of marriage, on August 6, 2000. Leila and Irvin farmed in the Bernard area for most of their lives, where she lovingly raised their 15 children. She was a full time wife, mother and grandmother who took great pride in caring for her home and family. Lelia had the patience of a saint and will always be fondly remembered for her ability to accept everyone she met for who they were. She had a graciously kind heart and was very generous with donating her time, treasure and talents. Lelia's 94 years of blessing the world around her and consistently instilling those traits within her family will be felt for generations to come. An angel has been suddenly called home and those left behind to cherish her memory will continue to thank the Lord for the privilege of the years He shared Lelia with them. Lelia is survived by 11 children, Butch (Rose) Valentine, Dubuque, IA, Jerry (Roberta) Valentine, Bernard, IA, Tom Valentine, Dubuque, IA, Hank Valentine, Bernard, IA, Dave (Phyllis) Valentine, Epworth, IA, Ken (LouAnn) Valentine, Hazel Green, WI, Mike (Nancy) Valentine, St. Donatus, IA, Arlene (Terry) Moore, Bernard, IA, Greg (Cheryl) Valentine, Dubuque, IA, Jean Ann (Russ) Recker, Cascade, IA, Sheila (Bob) Paul, Charles City, IA; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Valentine, Dubuque, IA; 2 sons-in-law, Ken Hanson, Dubuque, IA, Paul Kramer, Cascade, IA; 54 grandchildren, Lynn Ann (Harold) Lane, Sandra (Joel) Braxton, Tracy (Dr. Jerry) Carew, Jeff (Angie) Valentine, Randy "Skeeter" Valentine, LaVonne Larkin, Christina (Mike) Walsh, Constance (Dave) Lindsey, Travis (Trudy) Hanson, Timothy (Laurie) Valentine, Kevin Valentine, Karen (Chuck) Denlinger, Richard "Ricky" (Linda) Valentine, Carla (Alan) Johnson, Dan (Anita) Valentine, Patricia (John) Starks, Lisa (Al) Klosterman, Mark (Felicity) Valentine, Scott (JoEllen) Valentine, Nick (Abbey) Valentine, Dr. Stephanie (Jim) Kramer, Jeff (Tina) Valentine, Bryan (Ann) Valentine, Kristopher (Lizzy) Valentine, Stacy (Justin) Jaeger, T.J. (Nickie) Valentine, Vicky (Corey) Banes, Keith (Chrissy) Valentine, Kelly (Tim) Valentine, Cindy (Terry) Brackenburg, Tina Helbring, Tim Valentine, Dawn Richey, Kimberly (Chris) Maiers, Ann Valentine, Jay (Joyce) Valentine, Lee Valentine, Chad (Christine) Valentine, Angela Valentine, Eric Valentine, Jamie Valentine, Nicole (Todd) Luther, Jennifer (Ren) Moore, Todd (Cris) Moore, Kari (Brent) Hawkins, Brad Valentine, Tammy (Jeremy) Wolfe, Travis Kramer, Ryan Recker, Tiffany (Scott) DeBow, Austin Recker, Colton Recker, Cassandra (Tyler) Mausser and Briana (Matt) Paul; 84 great-grandchildren, Trey, Eric, Paige, Alexis, Dr. Kirsten, Rilan, Trevor, Emma, Sophie, Anthony, Isaac, Zach, Riley, Logan, Kyla, Brandon, Douglas, Kristen, Kyle, Susan, Rachel, Steve, David, Jeff, Joshua, Nathan, Heather, Christopher, Tessah, Ashley, Corey, Adam, Danielle, Jeremy, Samantha, J.J., James, Alyssa, Tyler, Cody, Zach, Elena, Kayla, Ansel, Jillian, Gweneth, Ben, Robert, Jessica, Andrew, Bailey, Xander, Caiden, Jayden, Alyssa, Madelyn, Kaia, Isabella, Jayla, Atalissa, Brooklyn, Evelyn, Ryker, Liam, Hannah, William, Cooper, Grayson, Maxwell, Violet, Carter, Lola, Jax, Landon, Payton, Tanner, Owen, Calvin, Caydence, Cooper, Myles, Gracie and Carsyn; 34 great great-grandchildren, Jaide, Prestyn, Jayden, Jillian, Matthew, Raeyln, Layne, Landyn, Brittanie, Charles, Alex, Trevor, Chris, Kim, Evan, Lilly Rose, Clayton, Nikolai, Jonathan, Chad, Frankie, Morgan, Korbin, Jeremy Jr., Alexis, Harper, Nick, Nathan, Nicole, Jeremy, Shelby, Skylar, Dylan, Brennan and Theo; a great great great-grandchild, Harper; and a brother, Ray Schmit, Dubuque, IA. Lelia was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Irvin J. Valentine; 3 daughters, Lois Valentine in infancy, Beverly Hanson and Janice Kramer; a son, Terry Valentine; a grandson, Austin Valentine; and 7 siblings. The family would like to extend a special thank you to her daughter, Arlene Moore, and granddaughter, Kelly Valentine, for their wonderful care of Lelia this past week. A Lelia C. Valentine memorial fund has been established.