Date of Birth:
Monday, July 14, 1975
Date of Death:
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Age:
49 years old

Valerie M. Reimers

Valerie Michelle Reimers, 49, of Rochester took her last breath on July 28, 2024, at St. Marys hospital. Valerie’s room was filled with her family who loved her most in this world.

Valerie was born on July 14, 1975, at St. Marys Hospital to Randall Logan and Jean (Forbrook) Keefe. In 1983 Jean married Todd Lund. Todd adopted Valerie when she was 12 years old. On March 5, 1994, Jean married Kenneth “Pix” Keefe. Pix and her mom would be the parents to raise, love, and celebrate Valerie’s accomplishments. Pix and her mom taught Valerie the importance of family, faith, and never giving up. Her family takes comfort in knowing Pix and others will be there to greet her in Heaven and that she is no longer fighting the battle of addiction.

Valerie graduated from John Marshall High School in 1993. She was a proud flag corp performer and described high school as one of her happiest times. She was very sociable and would befriend anyone. Valerie attended one year at Rochester Community and Technical College. She decided to revisit college later in 2011.

On September 21, 1996, she married David Horsman at Rochester Covenant Church. They welcomed their first daughter, on January 8, 1998. Makayla was joined by baby sister, Taylar, on April 14, 2001. Dave and Valerie later divorced in 2006.

When Valerie was a little girl, her mom and her lived in Rochester Square Apartments. Little did she know, her future husband was living right above her. Running through the hallways and playing outside under the bridge, Chris and Valerie’s love story began. Valerie and Chris reunited in 2004. Chris brought Valerie a bonus son, Chase, to the family. Chris and Valeries youngest son, Wyatt, was born on December 12, 2010. Together Chris, Valerie, Makayla, Chase, Taylar, and Wyatt became a loving family forged in humor, sarcasm, support, and perseverance.

On October 12, 2013, Chris and Valerie were married in an intimate ceremony at her mom and dad’s house. It was a gorgeous autumn day. Valerie was a beautiful bride, glowing in happiness and full of life. They modeled their vows “of sickness and in health” until the very end.

There was no shortage of things that Valerie loved. She adored her puppies, Izzi, Millie and Cash, riding in their side by side, sunsets, dolphins, anything purple, everything sparkly, getting her nails and toes done, pickle roll-ups, chomping on ‘the good ice’, Olive Garden, pens, crafts, tiramisu, but most of all, her children and grandchildren, Bryant, Maverick, Logan, and Elijah Fitzpatrick.

Valerie was deeply involved in the Recovery community in Rochester. She devoted her time, compassion, knowledge, and strength to those who also struggled with addiction. She inspired numerous people to face their own demons and guide others who had lost their way. Her husband, mom and many others were continually supporting her throughout her recovery and never gave up on her. Valerie drew her strength in her darkest hour from God, her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ her Savior. Her faith, family, and friends are what helped her hang on as long as she did.

She is survived by her husband, Christopher; children Makayla (Dylan) Fitzpatrick, Taylar, Chase, and Wyatt. Grandchildren Bryant, Maverick, Logan, Elijah, and a granddaughter on the way. Grandmother, Darlene (Gosen) Forbrook. Her mother, Jean Keefe. Adoptive father, Todd (DeVon) Lund. Sisters, Keri Logan, Kim (Craig) Stolp, Holly (Trevor) Bronk, Tiffany (Joseph) Lawler, and Kirsten (Jarrad) Nickolite. Brothers, Nick (Jennie) DeFrang, Nathan (Stephanie) Keefe, and Greg Logan. And many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that became family.

She is preceded in death by her maternal Grandfather, Ellsworth “Chuck” Forbrook; Paternal Grandmother, Shirley Logan; Paternal Grandfather, Ken Logan. Biological Father, Randall Logan; Father, Kenneth “Pix” Keefe; and her Uncle Peter Lund.

Funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Crosswinds Church 8106 31st Avenue, Oronoco, MN, 55960, Pastor Bob of Plainview Church of Christ officiating. The visitation will be held from  4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the church on Tuesday.  There will be an informal gathering at Recovery is Happening 25 16th Street NE Rochester, MN, 55906 after the funeral service.

Valerie’s final resting place will be in Oakwood East Cemetery, after the fall of 2024.

“God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So, He put His arms around her, and whispered, “Come to Me”. With tearful eyes we watched her gradually fade away. She didn’t deserve what she went through, it was a high price to pay. Although we loved her dearly, we could not make her stay. A giving heart stopped beating. A restless mind at peace. God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. And when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free from pain, we could not wish you back to suffer that again.”      -Kathleen and Frances Coelho