Valerie Kay Duerre

Valerie Kay (Stanley) Duerre, 70, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 1, 2024 at Marigold Healthcare Center in Galesburg, after a long journey with dementia.

Valerie was born on June 20, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Dean and Dolores (Friday) Stanley. She was raised in Galesburg and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1972. She married Steven Duerre on June 18, 1976 in Galesburg and together they raised three children.

Valerie worked at Sears, Gale Products, and Knox County Nursing Home before starting her family. Once her children were in school, she returned to work as a CNA at Rosewood Care Center and then worked in the bookkeeping office at the East Main Street Hy-Vee in Galesburg until her retirement. Valerie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She loved baking, crafts, listening to country music, spending time with her family, and traveling to Florida to see her grandchildren. Valerie was the matriarch of her family. She also helped her step-father raise her younger brother and sister after the unexpected early death of their mother.

Valerie is survived by her husband of 48 years, Steven Duerre of Galesburg; one son, Justin Duerre of Galesburg; one daughter, Tracey Richardson of Clermont, Florida; one step-daughter, Joy Schnedler of Dallas City, Illinois; three grandsons, Brayden, Michael, and Noah, all of Clermont; three brothers, Bill Stanley of Arizona; Roger Stanley of Galesburg; and Kevin Banks of Apple Valley, California; and one sister, Melissa (Doug) Gallinger of Knox, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Chester Banks, a son, Jeremy Duerre, and a sister, Carole Stull.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 8, 2024 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, with funeral services following at 6:00 p.m. Chaplain Jordan Knight will officiate. Cremation will be accorded following services. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank Beacon of Hope Hospice for their loving care and compassion.