Valeria Eleanor Ahneman, 86 (April 4th 1939-July 16th 2025)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Valeria "Val" Ahneman, of Eau Claire, WI, at Rutledge Home, in Chippewa Falls, WI.

Val was born April 4, 1939 in Eau Claire, WI to Oscar and Ruth (Patterson) Johnson. She was a graduate of Eau Claire Senior High School and on December 5, 1959, Val Married James E. Ahneman at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. She went on to work as a public servant for the State of Wisconsin until her retirement. Val was a beloved Wife, Mother, Grammy, Great Grammy, Sister, and Friend. James and Val were happily married for 57 years until James' passing in 2016. He remained in her heart and Val carried her love for him every day until she was united with him in Heaven.

Val loved hummingbirds, Days of Our Lives, reading the paper, and a good Brandy Diet Coke. She enjoyed gambling, playing cards with her Card Club family, and traveling with her husband James. Her favorite getaway being Hawaii. You could find her spending her holidays at the Cottage and her Sundays at church, but you could never find Val without her purse. Val is described as loving, compassionate, strong willed, and a little bit of a speedster, as she earned the nickname "Hot Rod Val". One of Val's favorite times of the year was Christmas, as she loved to host and she loved to give. So much so that it wasn't unusual to see the presents stacked higher than the tree itself.

Val is survived by her two children Vicki (Dave) Sanders of Chippewa Falls and Craig (Georgette) Ahneman of Ottawa, KS;  sister Susan Barquist, five granddaughters, Laurie (Dan) King, Angela Miller, Amy Bell, Brittny (Chris) Harms,  and Elizabeth (Dylan) Ahneman; seven great grandchildren, Makenna, Collin, Caiden, Serenity, Nora, Elowen, and Emree; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Val was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Ruth (Patterson) Johnson; her husband James Ahneman; one daughter, Kim (Mike) Bauer; brothers, George, Robert, Leslie, Harold, and  John Gilbertson, and Charles Johnson; sisters, Joanne Knutson and Janet Forster; and grandson, Randy Miller. Val's feisty spirit and kind heart will continue to live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 22nd from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home (814 First Avenue) in Eau Claire.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, July 23rd at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Eau Claire, with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 am at Church on Wednesday.  A luncheon will be served at Church immediately following the funeral service.