Valerie P. (Jaeger) Yeager

Valerie P. Yeager passed away peacefully on March 6, 2022, in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, surrounded by family.  She was born on January 3, 1944, to Oswald Jaeger III and Charlotte Kimmel-Jaeger.  She was wed to Gus Ruppel in 1962, and their marriage lasted twenty-two years. In 1984, she married Wade Yeager, later divorcing in 1993.

Valerie grew up in Washington Heights, a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She attended Saint Sebastian Catholic Church and School.  Daughter to the owner of Wisconsin’s largest bakery at the time, Jaeger Baking Company, Valerie acquired a solid work ethic, a passion for creating, and an appreciation for community.  Her career took her in multiple directions, from cake decorating to dairy farming.  She owned and operated a specialty yarn shop, and she was a published author and poet. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, riding motorcycles, playing the mandolin, reading, and walking.  She was a friend to the homeless, supporting and advocating for them throughout her life.

Valerie was an enthusiastic resident of Medford, and she adored her neighbors.  She loved her church family and the fellowship they shared.  She was devout in her faith, and her truest passion was found in sharing the gospel.  She started a prison ministry, committing herself to healing the spiritual health of the incarcerated.  She traveled throughout the state to minister to inmates, and she continued to encourage many of them after their release.

Valerie is survived by her eight children, Victoria (Chris) Thomas of Chesapeake, VA, Deborah Ruppel of Medford, Gustav (Joey) Ruppel of Phoenix, AZ, Benjamin (Nikki) Ruppel of Abbotsford, Katherina (Sean) Brayshaw of Kearney, MO, Steven (Abby) Ruppel of Weston, Joel (Ashley) Ruppel of Evergreen, CO, and Melinda (Adam) Jessie of Independence; her siblings, Christine Reger, Joellyn Mabbott, Virginia Merigold, Thomas Jaeger, and Constance Loop.  She is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Valerie is preceded in death by her grandson, Alexander Ruppel, her brother, Oswald ‘Buddy’ Jaeger IV, her father, Oswald Jaeger III, and her mother, Charlotte Kimmel-Jaeger.

New Life Apostolic Church is hosting Valerie's Celebration of Life on Saturday, 03/12, at 1:00 p.m.  It's located at 824 E. Perkins Street in Medford.  In lieu of flowers, Valerie requested that donations be made to New Life Apostolic Church, to the attention of Pastor James Rider.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

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