Valerie La Pietra Vander Griend, 72

Valerie La Pietra Vander Griend transitioned to be with our Lord on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. Her loving husband, Ron Vander Griend, her sister, Lorraine La Pietra, and her daughter, Jacqueline Serrano, were all by her side with tears and joy as she was finally able to breathe God's air. Her son-in-law, Bob Serrano, and three grandkids, Yvette, Agatha and Beto, were also by her bedside that day.

Valerie was born July 26, 1953, in Pennsylvania and spent her early years there. When she was seven, her family moved to California, and she spent the next 45 years living the California dream, full of adventures and love. In 2005, she met her wonderful husband, Ron Vander Griend, and the two moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where they shared a beautiful life with friends and family. In 2024, they decided to be closer to their grandchildren and moved all the way down to Texas to be their grandkids' biggest cheerleaders at all their sports games and attend all their musical concerts.

Valerie spent the majority of her career working for Costco. She was an assistant buyer and then found her stride working in marketing. Valerie had such a way with people and found her role connecting people in her community through Costco. She touched so many lives, both professionally and personally, until she retired in 2018. Even after retirement, she still loved visiting with former colleagues and her regular Costco shopping trips.

Valerie was very involved in the church and enjoyed her time spent reading scripture. She loved attending her women's bible study and luncheons. 

Family was always so precious to Valerie. 

She is survived by her sister, Lorraine, with whom she shared a special bond. Through Lorraine, she was blessed with many nieces and nephews, including her niece Tracie Villegas and her family (Jacob Villegas and Jesse Villegas). She adored them and always loved sharing stories about Jesse and his achievements: Davey Noah, her nephew, and his wife, Amber. Davey lived with Valerie for years, and they grew very close. Krystal Brower and her children, Hailey and Kayla. She always viewed Krystal as a daughter and cherished their relationship. David (Wolfie) Noah and his wife, Madelyne, and their two kids, Lacey and Hunter. Rebecca Noah and her children, Paisley, Waylon and Maylyn.

The family will have a planned service May 23 in the Calvary Chapel of the Springs in San Marcos, Texas. There will also be an informal gathering in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in the near July time frame, so all the people whose lives she touched will be able to come together for a celebration of her life.

In her final weeks, she asked her husband to personally thank pastors Ken Smith, Mike Slothower, Ben Ortiz, and Paul Van Noy for their teaching and friendship, all of whom she got to know in her role with Today's Christian Country Radio, which she strongly supported and was on the Board of Directors.

No flowers, please. If you wish, please donate to Today's Christian Radio in her memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home, 2001 Ranch Rd., 12, San Marcos, TX 78666. For more information and to sign the online registry, please visit www.thomasonfuneralhome.com.