Genelle Marie Valentine
April 05, 2015
Genelle Chladek Valentine, 50, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation and prayer service will be held Friday, April 10, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at St. Augustin Catholic Church, 42nd and Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.
Genelle was born April 18, 1964 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Joseph Chladek and Helen Liknes Roush. Her family soon moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she attended St. Augustine School and Dowling High School, graduating in 1982.
She started in the restaurant business at the age of 14, working at Poppin Fresh Pies on Ingersoll Avenue. It was there she found she could meet people of many different cultures and facets. This was her passion. Genelle worked at several Des Moines area restaurants and did everything from waiting tables to cooking, catering and managing – she did it all. Genelle considered The Drake Diner her second home. She helped open the affiliated West End Diner as well as the North End Diner.
After tragedy struck the Drake Diner in 1992, Genelle moved to San Antonio, Texas for seven years, where she worked at a 5-Star restaurant named Cappyccino’s. Missing her family and the Midwest, Genelle moved back to Des Moines in 2000. Soon after, at the request of The Drake Diner owner, Steve Vilmain, Genelle was back at The Drake Diner. She returned in the role of assistant manager but later moved back to waiting tables since that’s what she did best. Genelle had many “regulars” at the diner and it was not unusual for her customers to wait up to 45 minutes in order to sit in her section.
In 2002, at her 20-year high school reunion, Genelle was reacquainted with an old friend and classmate, Tom Valentine. They were always very fond of each other, growing up attending both St. Augustine’s as well as Dowling together. After hanging out with each other for several months, they knew they were meant for each other and romance blossomed. They dated for many years and on September 18, 2010, they were joined in holy matrimony.
In April of 2006, Genelle was diagnosed with a very treatable form of breast cancer. It was at this time that she started one of the most courageous battles anyone has fought. After a lumpectomy, Genelle worked through seven weeks of excruciating radiation treatments, taking only a few weeks off work during this campaign. Tom and Genelle then enjoyed three years of health together before cancer once again reared its ugly head. On February 9, 2009, Genelle got word that her cancer had come back. She was re-diagnosed with stage IV cancer. It had reappeared in the same breast and had spread to lymph nodes as well as her bones, eventually moving to her brain and spinal fluid. During her battle, besides losing her hair a few different times due to treatments, you might not have known she was sick. Genelle always wore a smile, had an unbelievably positive attitude and rarely complained about bone pain and side-effects of the chemotherapy. Over the years, Genelle endured twelve different chemotherapy treatments and seven different radiation treatments. Last week, Genelle decided to take a rest from her battle so she can now look down upon us from heaven and guide us.
Genelle is survived by her husband, Tom; her parents, Joe (Judy) Chladek and Helen (Jesse) Roush; brothers, Noel Chladek and Jonas (Amber) Chladek; step-sisters, Laurie (Dave) Cronin, Roni (John) Benson, Raney (Tom) McLaughlin; step-brothers, Jim (Merly) Barr, Rick (Mandy) Roush, Rob (Wendi) Roush; nieces, Sinea, Brienna, Karington, Brianna; nephews, Noel II, Torin, and Declan; her cat, Bessie; and finally, the second love of her life, her beloved cockapoo, Callie.
The family would like to give special thanks to the following caregivers: her friend, Mary Riley, who over the last few years has done too many things to mention, Dr. Steve Heddinger, nurse, Amy Bell, and all the staff at Medical Oncology and Hematology, Care Coordinators on Powell III, Edra Fouts and Diane Halber, and all the Powell III staff, the staff at the John Stoddard Infusion Center, as well as Mercy Hospice in Johnston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to John Stoddard Cancer Center and Mercy Hospice, Johnston, Iowa. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Ines
05/09/2015
If someone is gone, we loved,
-She is not far away from you
-She will be, where you are
-She will go to every place, you go
-She will have the same memories, you have
-Because she is in your heart !
Charleen (Seifert) Murphy
04/12/2015
Gennie and I grew up together. She had such a beautiful smile and was always so happy. I'm so sorry for your loss Tom. My deepest sympathy to all the Chladeks and the Valentines.
Elaine Seifert
04/12/2015
My memory of Gennie is of an enthusiastic girl in my Girl Scout troop years ago. Deepest sympathy for your loss.
Sheri Sayles-Begolka
04/10/2015
So Sorry for your loss.
We will miss your contagious laugh and your amazing smile. Your beautiful face and amazing hats to match.....your zest and never-ending energy to keep on keeping on. You make me so proud Genelle. Your grace was unbelievable.
Tom, your enduring love and support for Genelle will continue to amaze me until the end of time. I wish you peace in your days ahead. Heaven rejoiced the day she was born and now celebrates her arrival..... PEACE to you and your families.
Here for you always, we celebrate and will miss you Genelle Chladek Valentine. feeling blessed to have known you.
Maria E. Montalvo
04/10/2015
Sorry for your loss. She was a remarkable and beautiful woman. She never lost her sparkle, she could light up the room with her smile and dazzling clothes. She will be missed.
Mary Hellerstedt
04/09/2015
Wow, we are all so much richer for having had Genelle in our lives! What a treasure and woman with the gift of LIFE. I feel so fortunate to call her my friend. She was such a light and generous spirit. I'm sad she is not here with us now, but know she is forever our guardian angel and cheerleader. She is dancing in heaven with my late husband, Mauri Booton, and many others who loved her deeply. May you all find comfort in your memories and knowing that God has granted her the ultimate peace!
Patrick Thornton
04/09/2015
Tom, I am so so sorry for your loss. What a courageous battle she and you fought over these last several years. Memories are a good thing...keep them close..they will get you through this...it takes time... believe me. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Pat
Jill Bradley
04/09/2015
Genelle and her brother Noel were dear childhood friends who lived next door to our family. I have so many happy memories with them growing up. Gennie and I played with dolls and would fight over who got to hold my baby sister Megan -- she always won because she was older and wiser than me. The Bradley family expresses our deepest condolences to all the Chladek and Valentine families. Genelle is a bright light who will shine down upon all of us and we are better people for having known her. Rest in peace, Genelle.
Larry, Patty Byers
04/08/2015
We feel so blessed that our paths crossed. I could share many ways she touched our lives. If our world lived life like Genelle did it would be a perfect place. Our love and prayers to Tom and family.
Dave Corbin
04/08/2015
I was privileged to work with Genelle at the Drake Diner - Not just an outstanding person to work with but one hell of a fun person to be around - I am very sincere in extending as much sympathy as I can give to you, her family.
Gayla Zenz
04/08/2015
Tom and Family,
Genelle was a huge inspiration and solid rock to me and other "sisters" fighting cancer. She loved you very much, Tom and always expressed more concern for you then for herself at our meetings. Genelle is at peace and cancer no longer tortures her. May God's love and grace surround you and give you strength.
Vickie Uitermarkt
04/08/2015
Tom, you and I have never met, but my heart goes out to you during this time. Genelle was a very dear childhood friend of mine, who has lived in my heart even when we would go years without running into each other. We all were so blessed to have had her in our lives, with memories to cherish. I pray for your peace and strength, Tom, and thank you for providing Genelle with such loving, tender support throughout her battle. God bless you.
David Brooks
04/08/2015
Tom-
God now loves Genelle as so many of us did here on earth. I will miss her. Praying for you and the family. RIP
Linda, Carl, and Ashley Wong
04/08/2015
Tom and Family: We are so sorry for your loss. Genelle was such a great woman and she will be missed by many. Our Prayers are with you at this time.
Mindy Connolly
04/07/2015
Tom:
Dan told me about Genelle on Easter Sunday. I am so sorry to hear about it. I know that Genelle is in a better place but so sorry for you. Let us know if we can do anything to help.