VALERIE BROWER

1950 ~ VALERIE BROWER ~ 2023

It is with sadness in our hearts we announce the passing of beloved aunt, friend, and teacher, Valerie Ann Brower, in Medicine Hat on December 16^th, 2023 at the age of 73 years.  Valerie was the eldest child born to Lynn and Florence (Reierstad) Brower of Etzikom, AB on February 10^th, 1950. She was predeceased by both of her parents as well as her brother, Roy Brower. Left to cherish her memory are her niece, Pearl (Dean) Jones; nephew, Gordon Brower; her chosen extended family, niece, Randi L’Heureux; son, Chan Phon; and her beloved cat, Miss Muffet.

Valerie was raised in Etzikom and spoke often of her memories growing up behind the counter of Brower’s General Store. After completing high school in Foremost, she completed her Bachelor of Music and decided that the best way to share her gift of music was to become a teacher. Many students learned to play on her beautiful grand piano, and many school productions included her hand bell choir. She spent several years teaching in elementary schools all around the province, and even came out of retirement to teach the Music for Young Children program through the Conservatory of Music & Dance. Her love of children was unmistakable throughout her career, and she often reflected that she did not need to have kids of her own because her students had been her children. This was evident when going through her photos and finding her class pictures from every year she had taught, as well as every individual student photo that she had been gifted.

Valerie touched the lives of all who met her. Her infectious smile lit up the room and was often accompanied by her little giggle. She was a very social person and almost never went anywhere she did not come across someone she knew. On the rare occasion she did not know someone, she would strike up a conversation and would visit as if she did. When scheduling errands, extra time was always allowed for, as one never knew just how long those visits would take.

She loved to travel and treasured the special times she spent with friends and relatives touring throughout the USA and around the world. Her house was filled with pictures and mementos from those trips, and if ever there was a question about any of her previous destinations, the books lining the shelves of her office housed all the answers.

Valerie was a long-time member of both the Eastern Star Murray Chapter No 58 and the Sons of Norway, when it was still active in Medicine Hat. She truly enjoyed the friends she made and the events she was able to attend within both groups.

In her later years, she was tasked with taking care of the family ranch after her brother passed away. While country life had always been in the background for her, she often liked to joke that she was a ‘cow lady’ now, and she enjoyed all she learned from Dean about innovations and improvements to ranching throughout the years.

There will be a private memorial celebration of Valerie’s life in the New Year. The family will reach out with details of the service once arrangements have been made. Anyone wishing to make donations in Valerie’s name may do so to H.A.L.O., Southern Alberta Medic Air Society   666 – 5th Street SW Medicine Hat AB T1A 4H6. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Valerie Brower.  Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
www.saamis.com
inquiry@saamis.com
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CGR Holdings Ltd.