Donald F. Valkema

He lived fiercely, loved gently, and passed peacefully at the age of 90, on October 26, 2022, under the tender care of FHN Hospice and Parkview Home. Donald Francis Valkema, was born on July 7, 1932, the son of Harold and Dorothy (Kloepping) Valkema. He was a graduate of Freeport High School and DeVry School of Electronics. Don was a founding partner of K & V Electronics, which later became Associated Electronics. Prior to his retirement, Don also worked many years as an electrician and was always the go-to-guy for anything that family and friends needed fixed or repaired. Don married the love of his life, Norma Gusloff on June 19, 1954 and together they were blessed with 68 years of marriage, until Norma's passing on July 22, 2022. Don was a terrific father to their surviving five children, Karen Valkema, Vicky (Mike) Hoffman, David (Barb) Valkema, Doug (Sue) Valkema, and Wendy Skriver; and caring Grandpa to Nicholas (Erica), Kris (Emily), Andy, Kyle (Tiffany), Jen (Bill), Mallory, Olivia (Braden), Corey (Micki), Kalee, David, Casey, Tannen, Jacob (Alexandria), Nikki (Jed), Luke (Marina); and tickled Great-Grandpa to Aiden, Rylee, Sawyer, Sydney, Charli, Emily, Mitchel, Barrett, Michael, Beckham, Lilyana, Nicholas, Elliott, Theodore, and Willow; and beloved brother to the late Quentin (late Joanne and Ann) Valkema, and Carol (Stan) Smith, beloved brother in-law of Jack (Myrna) Gusloff, and the late Lorraine and (Martin) Midthun; and endeared uncle and great-uncle to many. A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 S. Park Blvd. Freeport, IL, with a service to celebrate his life at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to St. John United Church of Christ. Arrangements are being made by Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. Cemetery Details Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens 2514 IL-26 Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map Previous Events Visitation NOV 5. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (CT) St. John United Church of Christ 1010 S Park Blvd Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map Memorial Service NOV 5. 10:00 AM (CT) St. John United Church of Christ 1010 S Park Blvd Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map