Across a stream of visits by family and close friends, love and comfort carried Val to a peaceful passage in her final days.  She is predeceased by her eldest daughter, Sarah; her husband, Craig Ranft; and her sisters, Ione and Paula. Val is survived by her son David (Lynnette Dornak); daughters Emily Penikis (Todd) and Jane Ranft; sister Faith Quabius; and brothers Scott Quabius (Lisa) and Jay Quabius; and many cherished relatives and friends.

Val enjoyed a long and rewarding profession as a psychiatric social worker in several venues of care.  Most gratifying was her role as Director of Mental Health and Special Needs at the Milwaukee County Jail. She valued her clinical experiences as well as the professional and personal friendships she made.  

Val was dedicated to her children’s development in education, life skills, and character.  She was particularly sensitive to their individual challenges, her motherly virtues enhanced by her skill as a social worker. Val knew how to navigate the opportunities available to her children to meet their challenges. Despite her failing health, she was able to attend her son David’s wedding this summer, an event that brought her two-fold happiness: his new life with Lynnette and her trust and hope for their future. Val was not only devoted to her immediate family, but to her mother, June, as well. She was a central figure whom Val admired and loved, with whom she spent significant time throughout their lives.

She enjoyed traveling with Ione, visiting Faith in California, and for a number of years, vacationing with family and friends at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.  She loved decorating the Christmas tree each year, it was always alive and a jewel of light and color. Speaking of jewels, Val cherished a long and precious relationship with Susan Gormican (aka Birdsie), a professional jeweler. Val enjoyed years of card club, notably Sheepshead, and book club where she particularly enjoyed rich discussions because of the diversity of ages and backgrounds among her companions. 

Val lived a life rich in family, friendships, and service. She was a generous, caring woman whose strengths she lent to others as needed.  She will be deeply missed. 

There will be an informal gathering of family and friends on August 23, at 1:00-3:00 p.m.at Schmidt & Bartelt, 10121 W North Ave., Wauwatosa.

In lieu of flowers, Val has asked that any donations be made to the Milwaukee Central Office for Alcoholics Anonymous.