Valerie earned a degree in Veterinary Technology from Eastern Wyoming College. She worked in the veterinary field for 15 years.

After that, she has worked as a dental assistant for the last 26 years. She worked for Dr. Douglas Holmes, DDS, for 24 years, and the last 2 years with Dr. Stacy Reece, DDS at Advanced Dentistry of Kearney (all the same practice).

Valerie is married and has two children and two grandchildren. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys camping, fishing, riding horses, gardening, and raising goats. She has four dogs, four horses, one pony, and has raised Nubian goats for 26 years.