Valerie Sue Tucker

Valerie brought joy, laughter, and inspiration to all who knew her. She joined her Lord in Heaven on Sunday morning (May 17, 2026), after a 5+ year battle with cancer. Her impact, while here, on family and friends will last forever.

Valerie was born in Glasgow, MT on November 15, 1965 to John and Dorothy Barton. The youngest of three girls, she grew up on the family’s cattle ranch north of Saco. Valerie was proud of her ranch heritage, and often shared stories of life in the country. Riding horses, rattlesnakes, long school bus rides, involvement in several sports and school activities, cold winters, and being dependent on the weather for your very livelihood, were all part of her early days. She graduated from Saco high school as class valedictorian in 1984.

In the fall of 1984 she moved to Bozeman, MT and started college at Montana State University. She continued to be involved in organizations outside of her curriculum, and lived in Hannon Hall sorority. During her freshman year she made several lifelong friendships. Val graduated from Montana State with a BS in Business Marketing in 1988.

In the fall of 1987 Valerie and Greg Tucker began dating, and in January, 1989, after her graduation, moved to Boise, ID for work. They were married in Saco at the Methodist Church on May 27, 1989. During the next 37 years, they raised two sons (Adam and Joshua), both retired from work, and reside in Meridian, ID to this day.

Valerie came to Idaho with visions and thoughts of working in a corporate job, wearing business suits, office buildings, etc. The Lord had another direction for her life, and almost immediately after moving to Idaho she became involved in ministries at the church. Her ministry involvements included BSF Bible Study Leader, Sunday School teacher/coordinator, and Women's Ministry. But the one that gave her the most joy was working with the children. She became the Children's Pastor which she did for 15 years. Hundreds of children went through this program, were touched, and as adults now have a special relationship with "Miss Valerie", "Mrs. Tucker", "Auntie Val"... Valerie would never want the credit but would point to the hundreds of volunteers that made it all possible.

In 2009, Valerie found herself sitting in the waiting room of a local hospital after her husband had contracted a very bad case of H1N1. Everyone that knows Valerie knows that she has "chill-o-phobia" and was cold in the air conditioned hospital. A friend brought her a homemade quilt as a gift, to keep her warm. Once Greg had been released weeks later, Valerie started a ministry providing local hospitals with homemade quilts and blankets, for both patients and the patient's caretaker. To date over 2,000 have been distributed to patients in the hospitals through the “Quilts Of Comfort” program.

During the last couple years, it was a true joy to have Joshua move back to Idaho to carve out his career outside of Montana. During the same time, Adam and Stefany married in Fort Benton, MT. We absolutely love our daughter-in-law and 5 grandchildren, the most recent born just a couple months ago. Through the gracious acts of several friends, we were able to meet little Lauren just before Val’s passing. What a blessing!

Valerie went into each day, eager to see her friends, and excited to make a new ones. Her motto was "Make new friends, keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold". At her core, she had a deep, personal relationship with her Lord Jesus, and wanted others to get to know him, too.

Valerie passed peacefully at home, with her family present. Father John, mother Dorothy, half-brother Cody Kyrobie of Provo, UT, and Father-In-Law Larry Tucker of Miles City preceded Valerie in death. She is survived by Husband of 37 years, Greg Tucker, living in Meridian, ID; Son Adam Tucker (Stefany Tucker) of Big Sandy, MT; Grandchildren Zacchaeus (14), Ruth (13), Hannah (10), Eliora (7), Lauren (2 mos), all of Big Sandy. Son Joshua Tucker of Meridian, ID. Sister Lisa Barton of Helena, MT. Sister Cheryl Spalinger (Don Spalinger) of Saco, MT. Mother-In-Law Gloria Tucker, Sister-In-Law Stacy Regan (Jim Regan) all of Miles City, MT. Niece Brooke Banister (Travis) of Miles City,MT. Nephew Brian Regan of Billings, MT. Sister-In-Law Rosa Kyrobie (Cody Kyrobie) of Provo, UT. Nieces Vanessa Hadley and Angela Kyrobie. And MANY, MANY close friends.

Valerie’s life verse:
“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” 2 Cor 5:15

To donate to Quilts of Comfort, contact Greg.