Valerie Jane (Rowley) Scull, 61, of Long Grove, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family after a courageous yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born on June 14, 1963, in Davenport, Valerie was the beloved daughter of Benjamin and Dorothy (Manner) Rowley. She grew up surrounded by a close-knit family and shared a special bond with her four sisters. On June 5, 1993, she was united in marriage to Stephen Scull in Davenport. On March 23, 1997, they completed their family by welcoming a son, Shane Benjamin Scull, who was the light of her life.
Valerie graduated in 1987 from the University of Iowa with her bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in art education. While her formal career was not in education, Val spent her life teaching others - from mentoring new colleagues at MCI, to teaching jewelers how to utilize CAD software at Gemvision, to leading countless “aspiring” artists in creating special pieces of work in her classes with Val’s Art Time. However, the most valuable lessons she taught weren’t in a classroom or in an office. Her greatest teachings were those she taught to us about unconditional love, the value of grace, and the power of forgiveness.
Val’s first job was at Rodriguez Taco House. After her brief stint in the taco business, she decided the ice cream world was a better fit; she went on to work at Tastee Freeze, Baskin Robbins, and DairyQueen throughout her high school and college years. Upon graduation from U of I, Val held positions as a substitute teacher and published illustrator. She then took a job with MCI where she worked her way up to a position in management. While at MCI she won the President’s Choice Award for her work mentoring new employees and supervisors. After MCI was acquired, she worked at the Figge for a brief time before joining the Gemvision Team. While at Gemvision, Val was able to use her talented eye for making beautiful things and her art education degree to teach jewelers from all over the world how to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces in world-renowned CAD software. Working for a small company with a fun work environment also pushed her to truly learn what she was capable of. This is what Val loved most about her time at Gemvision. After Gemvision relocated out of the area, Val worked for Mid-American, JH Revell, Iowa Cancer Specialists, and Olympic Steel.
Over the years, Val also led many people throughout the community in creating their own special master pieces through her traveling art classes with Val’s Art Time. In her spare time, Val created many of her own masterpieces which include drawings and paintings, felt animals and figurines, and beautiful clay jewelry, vases, and other works of art. She leaves behind many V Scull originals to be cherished by her family and friends.
Val’s life was marked by her unwavering faith and deep compassion for others. A devoted member of Cornerstone Baptist Church where she was active in Home Group, the media booth on Sundays, Awana, Vacation Bible School, and various other events. Her faith was the cornerstone of her character. Her sense of humor brought joy to those around her and reflected the warmth that defined her presence, even with the challenges of the last year.
Valerie is survived by her husband, Stephen Scull; their son, Shane Scull (Cedar Rapids); sisters: Michelle Myhree; Sher O’Neil; Tess (Chet) Jones; and her twin sister Vicki (Bill) Clark; sister-in-law Denise (Chad) Anderson; mother and father-in-law Bill and Mary Scull; a gaggle of nieces and nephews (even some great and great-greats in the bunch); and several special aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also leaves behind many dear friends that spanned a lifetime as everyone who met Val couldn’t help but love her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law Curtis Myhree.
The family would like to thank Iowa Cancer Specialists (Dr. Susannah Friemel, Tami Shelden, ARNP and their amazing staff!), Mayo Clinics (FanDarnTastic- Mindy Hartgers, ARNP!), and the team at UnityPoint Hospice for their wonderful care throughout this journey, as well as the countless friends and family that offered support in so many ways over the last year.
A visitation will be held Friday, June 13, from 4-7 at Cornerstone Baptist Church (775 E. LeClaire Road, Eldridge). A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 14, at 10 a.m., at Cornerstone Baptist Church with a luncheon to follow. A graveside committal service to be held at Mount Union Cemetery (22802 260th St., Eldridge) directly following the luncheon.
Memorials in Valerie’s Honor can be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church or to the Ohl Strong Foundation.
Valerie’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched—with grace in every word spoken and love in every action taken. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and cherished her.
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