Valetta E. VanValkenburg

Valetta E. VanValkenburg, age 90 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Friday morning, January 28, 2022 at Certus Healthcare Center in Defiance.   
  
She was born on July 26, 1931 to Lawrence and Inez (Wyse) Gautsche in Archbold, Ohio. On August 16, 1953 she married Duane "Dewey" VanValkenburg who survives. Valetta was a school bus driver for nine years at Tinora Schools. She was a member of the National Association of the VanValkenburg(h)s. In her leisure time she enjoyed crossword puzzles, square dances and attending antique truck shows. Valetta treasured her time spent with her family and friends.
  
Valetta is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Dewey VanValkenburg of Defiance, her daughter, Kathi (Chet) Nagel of Defiance, and her sons, Terry (Traci) VanValkenburg of Cumming, GA,and Scott (Kim) VanValkenburg of Napoleon, OH. She also leaves ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, her sisters, Jenny Miller of Archbold, OH, and Joyce Taylor of Toledo, OH, and her brother, Lawrence (Laura) Gautsche of Comack, NY. 
  
She was preceded in death by her parents, her granddaughter, Jennifer Nagel, brother, Myrl Gautsche, and sister, Carolyn Fricke.
  
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. One hour of additional visitation will be on Monday morning before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am. A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, February 7th at the funeral home, with Lay Minister and longtime family friend, Jim Martin officiating. Due to CDC guidelines, if you are not fully vaccinated a mask is required to enter the funeral home, and our lounge area will remain closed. Entombment will follow the service at Riverview Memory Gardens.
  
Memorials are suggested to the Elara Caring Hospice, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Valetta E. VanValkenburg, please visit our floral store.