Valeria Ann Jeffries, known to those who loved her as "Taz" or "Valkyrie," passed away on April 26, 2026, at her home in Shepherd, Montana, after a courageous battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Born on July 7, 1959, in Deadwood, South Dakota, Val lived every single one of her 66 years with a warmth, determination, and joy that left an unforgettable mark on everyone she met.

Val earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Cloud University in Minnesota and later completed her Master's degree in Business from MSU Billings. She built an impressive career in retail leadership, rising to Regional Director of Operations at Circle K Stores and earning the Val Jeffries Empowerment Award from Holiday Company Stores, North West Division, a recognition that perfectly captured who she was: someone who lifted others up.

Beyond her professional life, Val poured herself into her community. She served as a board member of the Yellowstone Art Museum from 2001 to 2012, including two years as President of the Yellowstone Board of Trustees. She was an active member of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Master Gardeners Association, and the Yellowstone Valley Beekeepers.

Val listened attentively, smiled constantly, and used humor to brighten every room she walked into. She led by example and thought before she spoke. This was a woman who accomplished more before nine in the morning than most people do all day. She was an avid runner who imposed her famous single digit rule, only skipping a run when temperatures dropped below ten degrees. Her passions were many: cooking for others, card making, sketching, photography, and gardening. She was a promising winemaker and a devoted keeper of bees. She also forgave her husband constantly, which he would be the first to admit.

Above all, Val was a spreader of joy.

She is survived by her husband, Allen D. Powers; her brother, Michael Jeffries, (Sharron Jeffries); her nephew, Timothy Jeffries (Tianna Jeffries) and their children, Lanora and Ellowyn, her aunts; Darlene Bender, Linda Beug, Evangeline (Tootie) Estes, and many loving cousins; John Estes (Anna Estes), Julie Estes (Rick Shelton) and Anna Estrada (Sean Estrada) Randy Schwartz, Rodney Schwarz, Kathy Walters, Brenda Hveem, Wanda Beug, Lisa Fonvergne, Sue Mott (Jeff Mott) Debra Haliburton, (Rob Haliburton), Kathy Jeffries, Karen Jeffries (Ken Birkeland) Debra Jeffries, Della (Jeffries) Martinmaas (Cyril Martinmaas) Lonnie Jeffries, Waylon Jeffries, Guy Davis, Guys’ daughter Amanda Oropeza (Erica Oropeza) and their children Yael and Avni. As well as numerous extended family members who cherished her.

She is preceded by her father, Harry Wayne Jeffries, mother, Delores Jeffries; her grandparents Mahlon Jeffries and Jenny (Drury) Jeffries, and grandparents John and Anna Schwartz, uncles; Milbert Bender, Roger Schwartz, Rineheart Schwartz, Calvin Jeffries Aunts: Elizabeth (Jack) Hodges, Delphia Zumbaum Grace Hobbs, Alice (Vincent) Johnson.

Val carried a quiet spiritual ease and a favorite quote close to her heart was as follows: "Gratitude brings freedom from envy." May she rest now in the peace she so generously gave to others.

A celebration of life is being planned by Val's many friends and will include music, food, and joy, exactly the way she would have wanted it. Specific details will be shared at a later time.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Yellowstone Art Museum or Susan G Komen for breast cancer research and support.