MADISON - Mardelle E. Valenza, age 91, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge with her husband Tony by her side.

Mardelle was born on May 5, 1933, in De Soto, Wis. to parents Kennard and Edith Tewalt. She was the oldest of four children, living on the family farm before moving to Madison.

Mardelle graduated from Madison West High School in 1951. She married Anthony Valenza on March 22, 1952, in Madison. Soon after, she moved to Germany to be with her husband while he served in the U.S. Army. She lived there for 18 months before returning home.

Together they raised their family in the Spaanem Avenue neighborhood before moving to

their home on Lake Kegonsa. The holidays and family gatherings with the children and

grandchildren were especially good times.

Mardelle worked for many years, beginning at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, then Blains Farm & Fleet and lastly at the Jackson Clinic, before retiring in 1995.

During retirement she enjoyed traveling to their time share in Destin, Florida, and trips to Hawaii, Arizona and Canada. She also loved sewing and quilting in her spare time.

Mardelle leaves behind her husband of 72 years, Anthony; children, Anthony Valenza Jr. (Sandra), Kennard Valenza (Karen), Nancy Alsmo (David) and Timothy Valenza (Patricia); grandchildren, Derek Valenza (Kristin), Vanessa Valenza, Breanna Valenza (Freddy Stein), Caitlin Bries (Alexander), Jessie Valenza and Evan Alsmo; great-grandchildren, Danny Valenza, Rosalia Bries and Rowan Stein.

Mardelle is also survived by her sisters, Karen Pederson, Sharlene Waller and Joanne Michaelis (Kenneth); and her brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Helen Valenza.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kennard and Edith Tewalt; grandson, Anthony Joseph Valenza; brothers-in-law, Gerald Waller, Donald Pederson, and other beloved family members.

The Valenza Family would like to thank the staff at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge for their exceptional care and support for Mardelle.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Thursday, January 30, 2025, with the Rev. Kenneth Michaelis presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Mardelle Valenza

May 05, 1933 - January 18, 2025

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