Valeria Lee Thurston

Valeria L. Thurston, 62, of Sparta, died Monday, August 19, 2024 at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse. She was born on February 1, 1962 to Cecil and Katherine (Koopman) Bebee in La Crosse. She grew up in La Crosse and Sparta, and graduated from Sparta High School.

After high school, Valeria attended WWTC’s CNA program, then began working at Rolling Hills. She also worked for DCT Inc. in food service at Ft. McCoy.

Valeria married Dale Dickenson. They had 2 children, Tonya and Brian. They later divorced. Valeria married Rodney Thurston on May 22, 2004 in Sparta. She loved listening to country music, reading, and cheering on the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.

Valeria is survived by her husband, Rodney Thurston of Sparta; children, Kevin (Liz) Dickenson of TX, Tonya Dickenson of Sparta, Elizabeth (Kristopher) Strandell of Forestville, WI, Benjamin (Ashley) Thurston of Sparta, and Brian (Jessica) Dickenson of Ontario, WI; grandchildren, Dillion, Devin, Desiree, Isis, Eris, Lucah, Daniel, Emma, Karson, Kaeson, Serenity, Bentley, Kinsley, Chiara, Ethan, Elijah, and Solomon; great granddaughter, Raelynn; siblings, Edna Mae Lawrence of La Crosse, Phyllis Tracy of Oshkosh, Susan Bebee of Sparta, Barbara (Wayne) Larson of Oshkosh, and Edward (Evelyn) Bebee of Reno, MN; mother-in-law, Darlene Guinn of Sparta; in-laws, Jeanne (Dan) Davis of Sparta, Kevin (Roxy) Thurston of Ontario, WI, Scott (Debbie) Thurston of Sparta, Cheryl (Darren) Endres of Sparta, and John Thurston of TX; step mother-in-law, Jeanne Thurston; her little dog, Maya; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Katherine; siblings, Earl Koopman and Emil Bebee; father-in-law, Donald Thurston; and step father-in-law, James Guinn.

The family wishes to thank the Gundersen ICU and Palliative care team for their support.

A Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta. A time for sharing will follow the Visitation at 7 p.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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