Valerie Vivian Warshauer

Valerie Vivian Warshauer, a devoted mother, loving Nana, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on October 9, 2026, at the age of 73 following a long journey with dementia.

Born and raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Valerie was the daughter of the late James Vivian II and Beverly Vivian. She spent most of her life in Wisconsin's Lake Country area, particularly Hartland, a community she was proud to call home.

For nearly 30 years, Valerie worked in the administration and development offices at University Lake School. She took great pride in her work and especially treasured being surrounded by generations of students throughout her years there.

But nothing mattered more to Valerie than family.

Valerie took great pride in raising her three children. She taught them to drive, cheered them on at countless sporting events and activities, and proudly watched all three head off to college—always looking forward to visiting them along the way. Loving, hardworking, organized, and sometimes stubborn, she led by example, teaching her children the importance of respect, accountability, and perseverance. Through life’s challenges and celebrations, she was always there to support and encourage them. She put her children first, always.

As her children grew and started families of their own, Valerie found a new favorite role: Nana. She adored her six grandchildren, from caring for them as babies to playing games, sharing hugs, watching their activities, and simply enjoying the excitement and laughter they brought into her life.

Happiest with a full house, Valerie loved hosting holidays, decorating her home—especially her Department 56 Dickens Village—and filling gatherings with good food, games, and laughter. She enjoyed Friday fish fries and Wisconsin supper clubs, especially the former Max Meier's Hartland Inn; long walks around the Beaver Lake neighborhood; puzzles and her favorite television police shows. Music was a constant joy, from Elvis on Sunday mornings to Fleetwood Mac concerts and singing along to music in the car. She loved her cats, admired the deer wandering through her yard and treasured memorable trips throughout the years to Florida, Austria, and Montana.

Valerie is survived by her children, Todd (Nicole) Warshauer, Krista (Sean) Tillotson and Lindsay Sandstrom; her grandchildren, Harlie, Tekla, Finley, Morgan, Bode and Avery; her brother, Jim (Karen) Vivian; her nephew Kyle (Megan Marquez) Duke; her niece Ashley (Malcolm) Wagner; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Sharon (Vivian) Duke.

Valerie spent her final years at Three Pillars Senior Living Community in Dousman. Her family is deeply grateful to the staff and caregivers who surrounded her with love, compassion, and dignity.

A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Pagenkopf Funeral Home, 2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m, and then a luncheon at 12:00 p.m. Valerie’s final resting place will be at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in North Lake, Wisconsin.

Dementia may have changed Valerie, but it does not define the life her family remembers. They will remember the mother who always put her children first, the Nana who adored her grandchildren, and the woman who was happiest when the people she loved filled her home.