Valeta A. Brown, age 92, of Dubuque, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, February 6, 2026, at her home in Assisi Village.  To celebrate Valeta’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Holy Spirit Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue.  Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at Holy Spirit Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue, with Rev. Raymond Burkle officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Valeta’s family.

Valeta was born on March 6, 1933, in Parkston, South Dakota, the daughter of Roy and Hazel (Van Natta) Wuertzer.  Valeta moved to Platteville, WI, with her family just two years later, and then to Dubuque, IA, at age 13. She attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1951.

Valeta married the love of her life, Kenneth Brown, on June 25th, 1955, at Nativity Church in Dubuque. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary shortly before Ken passed away on July 26, 2020. She was a devoted wife, mom, and grandmother. She was active in her faith at St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Churches as a member of the rosary society and regularly volunteered to help with funeral dinners and ushering. She was a great believer in the power of prayer and had several rosaries on hand at all times.

Her true enjoyment came from spending time with her family, friends and those she loved, and carrying on many traditions year after year. She always made those around her feel special, often sharing her love through her baking and crafts, including plastic canvas, sewing, and knitting. Her grandchildren often felt her love through the knitted sweaters, hats, gloves, and other items they received each year. Birthdays were made special with her fabulous pizza bread, delivered to each of her children at work on their birthdays, something they and their coworkers all grew to look forward to. Christmas was her favorite holiday, a time to spend with family and to spoil her children and grandchildren with presents piled high under the tree, and never-ending Christmas cookies and baked goods. She could often be found mixing up Tom & Jerrys, Pink Squirrels, Grasshoppers, and other drinks for all to enjoy.

She enjoyed being outside, often going on walks, enjoying the flowers, and helping Ken in the garden. She also enjoyed traveling all over the United States, often visiting her grandchildren, including trips across the border to Mexico, where she enjoyed bartering for souvenirs. The family joked that on her last trip to New York City, they had a hard time keeping up with her. She also looked forward to her annual trips to the Gays Mills, WI, Apple Festival.

She was a kind-hearted, salt-of-the-earth woman who made the world around her a better place.  Valeta was greatly loved and will be missed by all whose lives she has touched.

Those left to cherish Valeta’s memory include

her children,
Judy (John) Schroeder, Asbury, IA,
Cindy (Dave) Meyer, Bernard, IA
and Dennis Brown, Dubuque, IA;

7 grandchildren,
Terrence Schroeder, Tammy (Ed) Snook, Kimberly (John) Schroeder-Freund, Karina (Michael) Schroeder-Koh, Kristin (Josh) Thomas, Stacy (Randy) Dupont and Eric (Mandy) Meyer;

13 great-grandchildren,
Gavin, Isaac, Hazel, Jake, Austin, Madilyn, Colton, Jaxon, Corbin, Gunner, Emmett, Odin and Meara;

her brother,
Derl (Doris) Wuertzer, Dubuque, IA;

and a sister-in-law,
Janice Wuertzer, Dubuque, IA.

Valeta was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Kenneth Brown; and her siblings, Jim (Helen) Wuertzer, Collette (Frank) Suchanek and Fred Wuertzer.

Valeta’s family would like to thank the staff of Assisi Village and the Memory Care Unit, for the wonderful care they have provided for Valeta.  Also a special thanks to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Jamie and Michelle, for keeping Valeta comfortable in her final days.

Cards and memorials in Valeta’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Valeta Brown Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com