David Valenza

Date of Death: December 12, 2010

service

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

1935 Hwy V

East Bristol, WI

Saturday 12/18, 10:00 am

David Richard Valenza passed away on Sunday, December 12th, 2010 leaving the hearts of his family and friends grieving. He was born on March 12, 1991 to Ted and Connie Valenza and brought with him a spark of humor and mischievousness that touched the lives of everyone he met. He had a smile that could light up a room and a personality that left those around him laughing until they ached. He also cared very deeply, always making sure those around him whom he cared about knew that they were loved.

He graduated from Columbus High School in 2009 and was a sophomore at UW-Whitewater, majoring in elementary education. David loved to make fun of his sisters, hang out with his friends, fish whenever and wherever possible, tell amazing stories, and keep everyone laughing. In high school, he participated in Cross Country, Track, Wrestling, and to everyone’s surprise, went out for football in his senior year and had the time of his life. Everyone who knew him will feel the ache of his absence in their lives, especially his family.

He is survived by his parents, Ted and Connie Valenza of Columbus, two sisters, Maria Valenza and Jenny (Mitch) Dhein, Grandparents, Ted and Helen Valenza and Edwin Baerwolf, a large number of caring aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his best friend and fishing buddy, Carl. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Baerwolf.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in East Bristol with Father Robert Butz presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 17th, 2010 at the TUSCHEN-NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, 302 Columbus St., Sun Prairie and from 9:00 until the time of services at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the family for a future memorial dedicated along the Crawfish River where David loved to go fishing.

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie, 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com

Newcomer Funeral Home

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St. Joseph's Catholic Church

1935 Hwy V

East Bristol, WI

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Saturday 12/18, 10:00 am

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My sincere condolences on your great loss. There are no words that can express how deep my sympathy is. My heart is heavy for you both, Ted and Connie, and for your family.

To The Valenza Family We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers got out to you. Know that there is a community full a great people here to support you. This same great community was there for us when we lost our Daughter. Now it is our turn to be there for your family. Tom & Bonnie Schoenherr & Family Parents of Holly Jo Schoenherr

Our heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the Valenza Family, we are so sorry for your loss, know that there is a great community here to support you in anyway. The whole community was there for us when we lost our daughter, now it is our turn to be there for you. Tom & Bonnie Schoenherr & Family Parents of Holly Jo Schoenherr

I didn't know David, but when I read his obituary today I teared up knowing this is the beginning of a difficult lifelong journey for his family and closest friends. I lost two of my brothers (27 and 21) one year apart from each other. Words cannot say how truly sorry I am to David's family. All I can really say is in time you learn to live without the person...meaning you adjust to not seeing them everyday, but you never learn to not miss them. However, I believe that once you start healing you will find that life takes on greater meaning and you're finally able to find joy in the things you once barely noticed before. That's a gift that comes from the memory of your loved one:)

Ted, Connie, Maria and Jenny, my heart goes out to you. I know there is nothing I can say that will lessen your grief, but please know that if you need anything, I am only a phone call away. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Paul

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, David was a great guy and he will be missed

Dave brought so much energy wherever he was. He lived to make everyone laugh, even at his own expense. When he saw you down, he would put the smile back on your face. I'm going to miss getting into all the different sorts of shenanigans with him, including air-soft gun wars in his yard, sneaking out of photo class to get food at BP, hanging out on the weekends, and just bro-ing out and having guys nights. I know you are at peace now man, take care and save some laughs for me when we meet again.

One memory I would like to share took place when me, Dave and a couple more of us guys were spending the day at East Towne Mall. After shopping for a while we went to go eat at the food court. So we got our food, and Dave was sitting next to me. All of a sudden, he grabbed my hand and squeezed. I asked what he was doing, and he had a huge grin on his face and said, "If you try to let go, I will yell 'Help' at the top of my lungs." Now knowing Dave well, I knew he would do it. So I ate with one hand for a while, while Dave sat there with that huge grin on his face. I was starting to get pretty annoyed at this point. So finally, I tried to pull my hand away and "HELP!" EVERYONE in the food court on this Saturday afternoon stared at me and Dave. At first, naturally, I was pretty embarrassed. But then me and all the guys just started cracking up laughing. Just a perfect example of the kind of stuff Dave pulled. He could get ANYONE to laugh, almost in tears laughing at times.

I just want to say im very sorry for your loss and i wasn't really friends with David but i know that everyone will miss him very much.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, David was a great man and knew how to bring a smile to everyones face. You will be missed David

The death of the hysterical, outgoing, optimistic, and unpredictable David Valenza has left all that knew him in utter shock and disbelief. He had so much going for him. He had a loving family, countless number of friends, and a girl back at home that was just crazy for him. My deepest apologies and prayers go out to the Valenza family; No family should ever have to experience the loss of a loved one in this way. He is with God now, looking down on us all. You are constantly on my mind and in my prayers.

I went to the same school as David since 1st grade. He and I were both part of the tight-knit St. jerome family and I was not surprised to see how well he adjusted at the Columbus public high school. There are so many times his humor has made me laugh uncontrollably. One time in junior high, a bunch of people crowded around David and Maria at a high school basketball game as he told the story of how he held his little sister down and shaved off part of her eyebrow. There was also a time this past spring where my girlfriends and told he and Jordan that we were making a late night run to Taco Bell. The boys insisted on coming, but there was no room in the car. He immediately called Maria and said "Maria, you're taking Pauls and I to taco bell. Love ya, see you soon. Bye." And sure enough, she was on her way and drove the guys to taco bell. This made me realize the strong relationship between the brother and sister. I know this is so hard, Maria, just remember he loved you so much.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and friends of David.

Dear Valenza Family, I am the mother of one of Dave's close Whitewater friends, Cody Holloway. I met Dave on several occasions when taking Cody back to school and he always had a smile and an offer of help hauling things into the dorm. My heart aches for you all and for David's friends. I have heard so many Dave stories this week from Cody and the Whitewater guys. His humor and huge heart were apparent to all who knew him. He and Beau once gave my son a buzz cut in the dorm... not so pretty, but he gave it a great effort! Hang in there and know that there are many in Baraboo who are grieving with you and remembering Dave with a smile.

David had the most amazing sense of humor. I have so many memories of him from St. Jerome's; the carrots, pencil hair, christmas robot (thanks for reminding me Emily!), and mooning people every chance he got. In fifth grade, he threw a basketball at me...and it hit me in the face! And swapping CDs on the bus rides to field trips because we were so cool with our portable CD players. He will truly be missed by all.

I retired from teaching at Columbus High in 2001 when David was eleven or so. I have fond memories of both David and Maria arriving at the high school with Connie Valenza. While they waited for the bus that would take them to their elementary school, they would make a lovely artistic mess on their mom's white board in her office. As the bus arrived, Connie would proudly escort her kids to the door!

I have many great memories of David and will miss him dearly. He entertained us at St. Jerome's by belting out songs for school plays, popping a bag of carrots and simultaneously falling off his chair, stacking a pile of pencils on his bangs to see how many the gel could hold, coming over for bonfires for some ridiculous truth or dare, buying the girls candy, being a Christmas robot for a play, and many, many more. He left us too soon and took a piece of sunshine with him. He was a great friend, amazing athlete, and awesome overall person. The world will never be the same, we miss you David.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.