Valerie D. Romero-Howell, passed away on September 10, 2023, at the age of 53, at Great Plains Health. On March 29, 1970, she was welcomed into the world by parents, Rudolph E. and Irene A. (Lujan) Romero, in Denver, Colorado.
In 1987, after attending high school in North Denver until the age of 16, Valerie moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and immediately began working. She was working in the candy shop of the Circus Circus Hotel when she met James Howell, on April 1, 1988, just three days after her eighteenth birthday. The couple dated for seven years before being wed on April 30, 1996, at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas. Had the minister been an Elvis Presley look alike, it would have been a classic Vegas wedding. Valerie and James had two boys, James Brandon and Joshua Bradley, to witness their marriage and a third son, Jeffery Blake, came just two months after the wedding. The young family moved to North Platte in October of 2000. Valerie was a stay-at-home mom, doing everything and anything to make sure her boys were always taken care of. Scare tactics may have been used to instill morals and respect into her children.
Valerie was an animal lover; from snakes and ducks to cats and mice; she loved all living creatures. This could also be said about the many children she took in throughout her life, to keep them safe and make sure they had a full belly. Her boys’ friends often called Valerie their mom as well. She was feisty but soft hearted, being one of the most open minded and least judgmental women many people knew. Valerie always claimed to dislike socializing but there was never a shopping trip to Walmart where she wasn’t caught talking to several people throughout the store. Valerie always had her hair done BIG, her make up on point, and her nails manicured beautifully.
Those that remain to carry on Valerie’s spirit are her husband, James Howell of North Platte; sons, James (Kristi) Howell of North Platte, Joshua (Alicia) Howell of North Platte; granddaughters, Alison Howell and Nora Howell; sisters, Renea (Jose) Gutierrez of Las Vegas, Desiree (Cesar) Torres of North Platte; aunt, Linda Romero of Colorado Springs; nieces, Vanessa Governor of Las Vegas, Alex (Patrick) Gruttadauria of Las Vegas, Nicole Torres of North Platte; nephews, Juanito Carrillo of Denver, Cesar (fiancé, Hope Duran) Torres Jr. of North Platte; great niece, Ava Carrillo; great nephews, Karter Governor and Oakley Miller; several cousins and friends.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Rudolph and Irene; son, Jeffery Howell; siblings, Patricia Ann Romero and Roy Rudy Romero.
Memorials are suggested to the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 3 P.M. at Harvest Christian Fellowship with Pastor Jeremy Rinke as officiant. Book signing will be on Monday, September 18, 2023, from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is assisting the family with arrangements.