Valeta Vera Feeney, 77

Valeta Vera Feeney, 77, of Whitefish, passed away on Aug. 28, 2014. She “went home to be with the Lord” after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

Val was born on July 15, 1937, in Lupher, Mont., to Richard and Jewel Street. At an early age, the family moved to Whitefish, where she lived until her death.

On Nov. 2, 1962, Val married the love of her life, Frank Feeney, from Crosby, N.D. They were blessed with their first-born child, Roxy, in 1963; then, five years later in 1968, with twins, Jackie and Frankie.

Val worked at the Downtowner Motel in Whitefish as head housekeeper for more than 25 years. She enjoyed people and always came to work with a smile on her face. The only time she missed any work was when she had open heart surgery in September 2006.

Valeta was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Jewel Street; her brothers, Vonnie, Clifford, Daryl and Gerald; her sister, Mena; and her beloved dogs, Shilo and Autumn Rose.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Frank Feeney, daughters Roxy and Jackie, son Frankie; and grandchildren Natasha Naomi and Brandon Bo Feeney, all of Whitefish; two sisters, Valera and Loretta, both of Washington state; and her stepmother, Carol Street, of Whitefish. She also leaves behind her precious granddog baby, Trinity Takota-Cheyenne.

There will be a public viewing from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Burial will follow services at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, the Flathead County Animal Shelter, the American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

 I'm following the path God laid for me

I took his hand when I heard him call

 I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work, or play

Tasks left undone must stay that way

 I found that peace at close of day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow

My life's been full, I've savored much —

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief

Lift up your hearts and share with me —

God wanted me now:

   He set me free ...