Valeri Jeanne Hanson passed away early Sunday morning, at the age of 66. Valeri (nicknamed Val by her friends and family), was born in Polson, Montana on February 8, 1949.
The oldest daughter of Harding and June Elizabeth (nee Wiggin) Hanson, Valeri moved several times with her family, first to Kalispell, where her younger sister, Vicki Jo, was born; then to Missoula, where she attended elementary and middle school; then to Helena, where she started high school; finally settling in Dillon, Montana in 1964, where she graduated from Beaverhead County High School. She obtained her teaching degree (B.S. in Biology) from Western Montana College (WMC), and taught Biology and Business courses in both eastern Montana and Washington state. Several years later, she returned to WMC to obtain a Master's degree in Business.
Valeri worked for a number of years for the Beaverhead Development Corporation and the Montana Legislative Council in Helena, finally deciding to settle in Dillon, where she continued her career at the Clerk and Recorders Office. She obtained her realtor's license in her spare time, and for a number of years thereafter worked as an Appraiser.She enjoyed driving around beautiful Beaverhead County in order to photograph and appraise properties. Val was also a self-employed grant writer, working on no less than 30 grants from 1990 - 2001. Her final job before retiring was as an Appeals Specialist with KCI.
Valeri was an active participant in church activities for many years, and attended Grace United Methodist Church. She cared for her aging parents up until the time of their deaths, in 2002 (mother), and 2003 (father). She remained in Dillon until she made the decision in 2010 to move East, in order to live closer to her sister and her family, where she resided happily in Orwell, Ohio, until her passing.
Valeri loved to crochet, fish, shoot and read, and loved nature and animals alike, especially small dogs. She named her two favorites Petunia and Summer Skye, and treated them like they were her children. Val especially enjoyed a good laugh with friends and family, and was very close to her nieces, Katy Elizabeth and Heather Nicole, who lovingly nicknamed her Auntie. Thereafter, everyone always called her Auntie.
She was extremely intelligent, and her elementary school teachers insisted she be moved ahead a grade. When they wanted to skip her ahead again only a year later, her parents declined, believing it would have a negative social effect on her later, since she would be so much younger than her classmates. Valeri had a gift for writing, and won a poetry contest after she graduated from college. She was also accepted into Mensa. Though she had a quick wit and was always ready to give advice when needed, she never made others feel uncomfortable. She was a warm and caring individual, and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is survived by her younger sister, Vicki (Thomas) Fields of Mentor, Ohio; nieces, Katy (Johnny) Bragg and Heather (Brian) Funk; great-nephews, Zachary Thomas Funk and Jordan Glen Bragg; great-nieces, Brynn Elizabeth and Mercy Kathryn Bragg; first cousin, Carol Ann Capps of Spokane, Washington; and numerous other distant relatives and friends out West and back in the "Old Country" (Norway). Her remains have been cremated, according to her wishes.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.
To leave condolences for the family or light a memorial candle, please do so through her book of memories on our website at www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.

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