Valerie Lynn (Alonzo) Esparza, 52, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at Central Michigan Community Hospital surrounded by family.

Funeral services for Valerie will be held Friday, March 17 at 11 a.m. at Chippewa Indian United Methodist Church with Rev. Owen White-Pigeon officiating. Interment will follow in Woodland Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends now until the time of service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Cancer Services. Envelopes will be available at the church or Clark Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Esparza was born on January 31, 1954, in Mt. Pleasant, MI, to Albert Alonzo and Betsey (Peters) Alonzo. She married Pablo Esparza in Mt. Pleasant.

Mrs. Esparza was a lifetime resident of Michigan and member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. She worked for the Soaring Eagle Casino as a finance manager for 15 years. She was a member of the Chippewa Indian United Methodist Church. Valerie enjoyed sewing, bingo, and cooking. She loved taking care of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Esparza is survived by three children; a son, Kenneth (Fiancee Rachel Bergey), Jeffery Jr. of Mt. Pleasant; two daughters, Shellie (Adam) Avery of Mt. Pleasant, and Carla (Sean) O'Brien of Mt. Pleasant; 11 grandchildren, Tasha, Felicia, Erin, Preston, Elijah, Morgan, Alisha, Andy, Blade, Kenneth and Chari; 3 great-grandchildren, Jayden, Aiyana and Miingin "Mr.Mr."; and five siblings, Foster Hall Jr., Carla (Stan) Sineway, Connie (Lewis) Sprague, Roberta (John) Starkey and Carolyne (Owen) White-Pigeon, all of Mt. Pleasant.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Betsey Alonzo; son, Donald Jeffrey; sister, Karen Hall; and brother, Timothy Hall. You may share a memory of Valerie by sending a condolence to her family at [email protected].