Valjean A. MacKrell, 77, of Chicora, went to be with the Lord late Tuesday morning, March 19, 2024, at Butler Memorial Hospital while in the company of her loving family.
Valjean was born in Butler on August 1, 1946. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary Leech Lucas.
She was a graduate of Butler High School. She was a long-time member of St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church in Butler as well as St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in the Village of North Oakland.
Valjean was a devoted homemaker. She enjoyed canning, gardening, and baking. She also enjoyed mowing grass, planting trees, taking pictures, and traveling.
Valjean was preceded in death by her husband, Larry G. MacKrell, who passed away on April 27, 2023. The couple was married at St. Wendelin’s on June 10, 1967.
Surviving are two sons, Terry J. MacKrell and his wife, MaryAnn, and Barry A. MacKrell and his wife, Amy C.; three grandchildren, Riley M. MacKrell, Wyatt J. MacKrell, and Cody M. MacKrell, all of Chicora; a brother, Richard Lucas and his wife, Louann, of Butler; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kathy and John Rodgers of Tionesta and Mary K. MacKrell of Chicora and Carl Wilson of Butler, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, Valjean was preceded in death by a son, Garry MacKrell; a daughter-in-law, Patty Semes MacKrell, as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday from St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, 210 St. Wendelin Rd., Butler, with the Rev. Matt McClain, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, officiating. The interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in the Village of North Oakland.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Indian School, 1301 North Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325. Condolences may be made by visiting www.hilefh.com.