Beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Valerie LaDrigue passed away at her home in Reeds Spring on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the age of 86 surrounded by family.

Valerie Marie LaDrigue was born on March 5, 1939 in Saginaw, Michigan.  She grew up attending Catholic school and after high school she married her sweet husband, Donald Lawrence LaDrigue Sr..  Valerie was a devoted wife and mother. She also worked many years at the East Tawas, MI Senior Center preparing meals. Valerie loved people and caring for them, earning herself the nickname, “Mama Val”. 

Valerie and Don enjoyed going to the Eagles Club where Don would call Bingo and Valerie would work the fish fry.  They spent much time traveling before moving to Oklahoma to be with family and later moving to Missouri. While living in Reeds Spring, Valerie found great comfort in attending Our Lady of the Cove.

Valerie will be remembered for her great love of Elvis and one of the highlights of her life was visiting Graceland.  She was a big wrestling fan and never missed watching the WWE on television.  The outdoors was her peaceful place, including fishing and growing beautiful flowers.  She was a fierce BINGO player and spending that time with her friends was priceless to her.  Her care, creativity and thoughtfulness also showed in her knitting talents and making scarves to give her family for Christmas.

Valerie will be deeply missed by her children, Dorothy Holtzclaw of Reeds Spring, Alberta “Penny” Marden of Springville, UT, Candy LaDrigue of Reeds Spring, Donald LaDrigue Jr. of East Tawas, MI, and Bobby Durossette of Dallas, TX; her brother, Dell Bedford of Saginaw, MI; and sister, Linda Achtabowski of Oscoda, MI. She was the adored grandmother of Andrew Doucette, Daniel Doucette, Amy Parker, Bruce Marden Jr., Ashley Bacon, Jon Smith Jr., Jeremy Smith, Jodie Smith, Jerald Daily, Dana LaDrigue, Roxanne Nieschulz, Albert Lake Jr., Nicholas Lake, Steven Politte Jr., Jessica Callegari, Tonya Martin, Sara LaDrigue, Megan LaDrigue; and many great-grandchildren.

Valerie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Bedford and Dorothy Spriggs; her husband of 53 years, Donald LaDrigue Sr.; children, Floyd LaDrigue and Dawn Politte; son-in-laws, Bruce Marden Sr. and Douglas Holtzclaw; siblings, Bobby Bedford, Jerry Bedford and Kathy Buck; and two grandsons, Kurt and Kyle.

A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at the family’s home. 

Cremation arrangements are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.