Valerie J. McDonald

On Friday, April 17, 2026, the angels took Valerie (Wolosz) McDonald to her new eternal home. Val was born in Minocqua, WI, in 1956 (or 1986, depending on the mood she was in) and for our 46 years together, she taught me that you are always as young as you feel.

While she held several jobs over the years, her passions were her daughter Samantha and grandson Hayden. She lived a wonderful life with them and through them, and left a piece of herself in their lives.

She joins her sister Jill; father, Mike; and dog besties, Tasha, Moonshine, Chloe, and Gracie, who went before her.

She leaves behind her husband Jay; mother, Barb; daughter, Samantha; grandson, Hayden; son-in-law, Matt; brother, Todd; brothers-in-law, Jeff and Jim; sister-in-law, Jenni; and many nieces and nephews, especially Nick.

She will be buried in Ripon on Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:00 am, at Garden of the Cross Cemetery, with Deacon Jeff Copson officiating. In lieu of a funeral, we will have a joyous remembrance/Irish wake on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Pastimes Pub/Grill, 120 Scott St., Ripon, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Please bring a memory of Val to share privately or publicly. 

Thank you to those who shared their love and friendship over the years with us.