Valerie Koelper
December 25, 1929 — November 2, 2022
Valerie (Vetter) Koelper of Cedar Rapids, IA, formerly of Phoenix, AZ, passed away
peacefully at age 92 on November 2, 2022. She died in her sleep at Grand Living of Indian
Creek. Born on December 25, 1929, in Chicago, IL, Valerie was adopted by Arthur and
Mabel Vetter of Highland Park, IL. She married Herman Koelper on June 18, 1949, and had
two daughters, Kathy and Lynn. Herman and Valerie moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1972.
In her long life, she enjoyed drawing, knitting, reading, traveling, swimming, playing
bridge, and singing. She performed for more than 20 years with the Sweet Adelines Chorus,
volunteered at John C Lincoln Hospital, and traveled the world during her 42 years of
widowhood. Those close to her will remember her love for family, joy in simple beauties,
fondness for red cardinals, and whacky sense of humor.
Predeceased by her parents, brother Daniel Vetter, and beloved husband, Herman G
Koelper, she is survived by daughters Kathleen Kloss and Lynn Strutton (Fred) of Cedar
Rapids. Valerie also leaves seven grandchildren (Kate, Julie, Kevin, Katrina, Peter,
Jonathan, and Debbie) and 17 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at a
later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Trees Forever, the initiative to re-leaf
Cedar Rapids following the 2020 derecho or Samaritan's Purse.
https://treesforever.org
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/
peacefully at age 92 on November 2, 2022. She died in her sleep at Grand Living of Indian
Creek. Born on December 25, 1929, in Chicago, IL, Valerie was adopted by Arthur and
Mabel Vetter of Highland Park, IL. She married Herman Koelper on June 18, 1949, and had
two daughters, Kathy and Lynn. Herman and Valerie moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1972.
In her long life, she enjoyed drawing, knitting, reading, traveling, swimming, playing
bridge, and singing. She performed for more than 20 years with the Sweet Adelines Chorus,
volunteered at John C Lincoln Hospital, and traveled the world during her 42 years of
widowhood. Those close to her will remember her love for family, joy in simple beauties,
fondness for red cardinals, and whacky sense of humor.
Predeceased by her parents, brother Daniel Vetter, and beloved husband, Herman G
Koelper, she is survived by daughters Kathleen Kloss and Lynn Strutton (Fred) of Cedar
Rapids. Valerie also leaves seven grandchildren (Kate, Julie, Kevin, Katrina, Peter,
Jonathan, and Debbie) and 17 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at a
later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Trees Forever, the initiative to re-leaf
Cedar Rapids following the 2020 derecho or Samaritan's Purse.
https://treesforever.org
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/
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