Funeral services for Valerie Medicine Cedar, 73, of Fort Thompson will be 10:00 am Monday, March 4, 2019 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Thompson with burial in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery at Stephan, SD.  Wake services will be Saturday and Sunday evening at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery at Fort Thompson, SD.

Valerie Marie Medicine Cedar was born in Old Fort Thompson area to Cecelia Medicine Cedar on December 29, 2019.   Valerie attended grade school in Fort Thompson and Gann Valley.  She attended high school at the Flandreau Indian School.  After high school, Valerie accepted a position at the Community Bailey Hospital in Chamberlain as a Nursing Assistant for the next twenty years.

Valerie began working at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Thompson so that she wouldn't be far from her mother Cecelia, whom she cared for until the time of Cecelia's passing.  She continued to work for the church which last more than twenty years.

Valerie was a very modest and humbly lady.  She was a devout Catholic, and was actively involved in the church.

Before her health started failing, Valerie enjoyed attending the different meeting and workshops sponsored by the Catholic Church, especially the mini and regular Tekakwitha Conferences.  She was a catechism teacher for many years and loved children.

Valerie was known for creating beautiful Star Quilts and loved to make them for her family.  She always made sure that the newest member of the family was welcomed with a new star blanket.

Valerie's hobbies were playing the slot machines at the casino, fixing jigsaw puzzles, and listening to Elvis.

Valerie made her journey to the Spirit World on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.  She leaves behind her only sister Karen Thompson whom she loved very much; grandson Jonathan Thompson who she helped raise as her own; nieces Karrie (Wally) Donner and Karlene (Keith) Heth, Jr.; nephews Thomas (Donelle) Thompson and John Thompson; 19 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.  Preceding her in death were her mother Cecelia Medicine Cedar; nephew Kevin Thompson; and grandson Noah Thompson.