Schluter-Balik Funeral Home Obituary

Valeria Sabelka, age 78, of Decorah , Iowa, formerly of Calmar, Iowa died on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa, following a long illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, September 19, 2008, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, Iowa, with Rev. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 3:00 - 7:00 on Thursday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar, Iowa, and after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Friday morning. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Aase Haugen Memory Care, Assisted Living, 8 Ohio St., Decorah Iowa 52101

Valeria "Val" Therese (Barr) Sabelka was born August 18, 1930, to Charles and Mary (Broderick) Barr at Ossian, Iowa. Val attended St. Aloysius Catholic School in Calmar. She married Raymond Sabelka on February 3, 1948, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, Iowa. They lived in Calmar until Ray's death on December 9, 1994, when Val moved to Decorah. On October 19, 2007, she moved into the Aase Haugen Home. Val enjoyed playing bingo, shopping, visiting family and getting together at Joan's. Val was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

Valeria's survivors include her sister-in-law: Marcella Barr, Calmar, IA. Val's primary care givers, niece: Joan Martin, Calmar, IA. Great nieces: (Val's guardian) Patty Price, Waterloo, IA and Donna Martin, Calmar, IA, along with many other nieces and nephews.

Valeria was preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Mary Barr. Her husband: Raymond Sabelka on Dec. 9, 1994. Five sisters: Agnes Rayn, Genevieve Kulish, Vivian Eppens, Rosalie Phillips and Ellen Phillips. Five brothers: Eugene, Donald, Charles, Clarence and Clifford Barr.