Valerie Ann Vela

Valerie Ann Vela was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, September 18, 1963, to Jose and Julia Vela. She died April 30, 2014, in Colorado Springs after a courageous and grace-filled battle to recover from a devastating stroke suffered in January of this year.

After graduating from William J. Palmer High School in Colorado Springs in 1981, Valerie went on to complete her degree in biology from The Colorado College. While a student at CC, Val cherished time spent with her sorority sisters in Gamma Phi Beta, cheering on the Tigers in hockey, and singing with the performance choir at Shove Chapel, three pastimes that would continue throughout her lifetime.

Although Valerie continued her studies in the biological sciences by completing her certification in Medical Technology, a field in which she worked and later taught, her past ten years as Coordinator of Campus Ministry and Director of Young Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs brought her the greatest fulfillment as a career. Times spent with "her kids",--sharing at weekly coffee hours on two campuses, leading pilgrimages to Italy, regularly preparing and serving home-cooked meals, celebrating Sunday night Mass at Shove Chapel, or participating at World Youth Day events in Germany, Australia, and Spain--consumed most of her waking hours. The young men and women were such a part of her life that her daughter, Viktoria, thought of them as her older siblings. Valerie was their leader, mentor, confidante, and friend.

Valerie was a deep thinker! She loved conversations that challenged herself and others and was never hesitant to address an issue of injustice. To attend a lecture or concert and be mentally stimulated were her goals in life. Beautiful use of language and a sophisticated vocabulary touched her soul. And yet, her sense of humor and pleasure in silliness (and a bit of naughtiness) were always just a blink away, ready to surface!

Valerie is survived by her daughter, Viktoria Klassen, the light of her life, two step-daughters, Erika Klassen and Tina (John) Mayne and their children, Zakary, Isabel, and Jayme of Colorado Springs, her brother, Steve (Lin), nephews, Alexander and Cameron, of Woodland Park, her mother, Julie, and step-father, Richard Logue, of Colorado Springs, as well as dearly-loved aunts, uncles and cousins. Although she was preceded in death by her father, Jose, she remained closely connected with his family through her great aunt, Carlota Vela, who was her model for love of family and perseverance in following her faith.

A Rosary and Memory Sharing is scheduled at Shove Memorial Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada, on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 6:00 P.M. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Cathedral, 22 W. Kiowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Campus Ministry, Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, 228 N. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.