Valerie Marie Bales

Valerie Marie Jacobs was born August 19, 1952, in Alexandria, Virginia, the eldest born to Johanna Davis Jacobs. Val’s early years were spent in turmoil, but she had enough people to love her and nurture her. After high school graduation in 1970 in Alexandria, she joined the Army where she met and married her husband of 54 years, Ken. They spent three years in Landstuhl, Germany where their son Kelly was born. Once Ken was discharged from the Army they settled in Appleton where they have resided ever since. After Kelly went to college Valerie attended and graduated from UW Oshkosh with a degree in communication. She worked at several organizations through her years, but her favorite was with Appleton Downtown, Inc. where she organized the Christmas parades and the farmer’s markets.

Valerie is survived by her husband Ken, her son Kelly and his wife Monica, and is the very proud grandma to six beautiful grandkids: Jarrol, Jazmin, Jacob, David, Gabriel, and Christopher. She has two great-grandchildren through Jazmin and her husband Jacob, who reside in Florida with daughters Isabella and Adelina. They are all apples of grandma’s eyes.

Valerie is an avid collector of chimney sweeps (about 900 or so), an interest sparked by living in Germany. She loved music and a favorite song by the Mama’s and Papa’s called “Dancing Bear” mentions a chimney sweep.

Throughout her life with Ken, she showed her gypsy spirit and travelled throughout the USA and enjoyed their Valhalla, in Jamaica. They spent many years on the beaches there. Her favorite travels were to Scotland, with family roots there and a return to Germany for Octoberfest. She never made it to Ireland (IRA bombings when she wanted to go there) but she has deep familial roots there as well and will be cremated in her Irish kilt.

Val had been ill for a very long time and finally succumbed to Congestive Heart Failure on Easter night 2026. She will be sorely missed by family and friends. Her beautiful spirit lives on! A Celebration of Life will take place on April 25th at the First Congregational Church in Appleton at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations to WomenHeart. She always said she didn’t want flowers at her funeral when she’s dead, so I have been giving her flowers regularly while alive these past 54 years.