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Tineke Harmsen-Valenti, age 75, of Dodgeville, formerly of Fort Atkinson, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 surrounded by her family. Tineke was born on September 26, 1947 to Pieter Sikke and Everdina Harmsen-Riethorst in Meppel, Holland. She moved to the United States in 1968 to take a position as an au pair. At this time, she met her very dearest friend Holly (Larry) Schuetz.

In 1984, Tineke married Chris Valenti in Fort Atkinson, WI. They spent almost 40 years together making memories camping and traveling and just spending time with each other. Tineke loved her family deeply. During her life she took great joy in the little things, reading, writing letters to her friends and family abroad, crafting, sewing and knitting, cooking and baking, and gardening. Tineke will always be remembered for being an optimistic, happy person who cared more about others than she did herself. She showed this through her love and support of her family, and through her work at the Nutrition Center for the Elderly and the various groups she was involved with through the First Congregational Church in Fort Atkinson. Her positivity of life does not overlook the fact she was also a courageous fighter when her own life got tough-through two bouts of cancer, an accident where she broke nearly every bone in her body, or other health issues she encountered over the last few years-she kept her positive attitude through it all, and showed her family how life really is all about finding joy in the little things.

Tineke was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother and sister-in-law Dick and Anneke Harmsen-Luuring.

Tineke is survived by her husband, Chris; daughters: Heather (Patrick Sagami) Valenti of Montreal, WI, and Tara (Jeremiah) Burns of Stevens Point; her grandchildren Jasmine Matson and Antonio (Lina) Alford; her siblings in Holland: Ann and Jan Mulder-Harmsen, Henk and Marga Harmsen-Peters, Gerda and Chris Pool-Harmsen, and Aris Harmsen; and best friend Holly (Larry) Schuetz. She is further survived by many other family and friends.

Per Tineke's wishes, no formal services will be held. The Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.houckfuneralhomes.com.

Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home
Dodgeville 608-935-3628
www.houckfuneralhomes.com