Valerie Maria Kosa

Valerie Maria Kosa, nee Valdes, was born September 3, 1947 in E St Louis Illinois to the late Hilario "Val" Valdes and Dorothy Agnes Valdes. She married John Kosa in 1968. Valerie passed away on November 5, 2025 at St Elizabeth's hospital at the age of 78, after a stay at the Caseyville Nursing Home and Rehab Center. She resided in Caseyville at the time of her passing.

Valerie was proceeded in death by her parents and husband, siblings Karla Valdes and Victor Valdes, and her Aunt Mercedes Valdes and many other friends and family over the years.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter and best friend, Kelly Maria Kosa, niece Jordan Murphy, Kelly's godmother Alice Huskamp, Valerie's other daughter Doreen Spencer of Pennsylvania, her cousin Bob (Penny) Hale of North Carolina, her PM pals and the Quilting Ladies she met along the way, and lifelong friend Clara Boone Brown Chambliss and her children Ronnie Browne and Tracy Lynne Browne.

Valerie worked for USPS for 23 years, starting during the Christmas rush in E St Louis at 18 years old. She had a mail delivery route in Freeburg Illinois, which she laughingly called "a street walker." Val also worked as a mail clerk at the Caseyville Post Office. However, her favorite title and name of all time was "Mom" and she was truly the best. After the loss of her husband at age 40, Valerie took off 16 years to focus on raising her daughter. Valerie loved retirement so much she did it twice, officially retiring in 2004.

Valerie was an avid Cardinals baseball fan and she loved watching them, win or lose. She was an extraordinary crafter and quilter and UNO card player, and she loved Halloween, particularly witches. She hosted yard sales and loved Precious Moments collectibles. Thru Precious moments she met many crazy, fun friends and went on many adventures and cruises with them.

Her greatest, most favorite job and finest accomplishment of all time was raising her daughter Kelly and spending time with her and all the fur babies they raised over the years: Tiger, Spiderman, Bonnie Louise, Spencer, Barnaby, Peter Parker, Bubba, Kilroy, Morgana, Sherlock, Wilhelmina and Watson.
Kelly and Valerie enjoyed several years of camping at a permanent site in Alhambra, Il, and made many friends. It was the "happy place' for them and Wilhelmena, Watson, Morgana, and Sherlock. She loved reconnecting with her old friend Kathy Hindman Saddler and her family. She called Jake and Karley Saddler "her little buddies."

Valerie loved to laugh. She was creative, determined, confident and "wicked smart," the go-to person for any and all questions.
During her years at Caseyville Nursing Home she had some wonderful caretakers. She held them near and dear to her heart, like family: Charish Howard, Nicole Sumpter, Dawn Obptande, Seletia "Seraphina" Williams, Carolyn Wilson, Tamara Davis, Debbie Wright, Patricia Glenn, Michelle Goude, Janelle Pourchot, Gerri Leigh Daughtery-Summers and Kim Sheppard.

As Valerie wished, there will be no visitation or service. She was loved by many and will be missed.