Valorie Kay Price Hlavka was born on June 6, 1956, to Bobby and Earleen (Schuelke) Price. She joined her brother Gary and sister Charmagne on the ranch south of Maurine, SD. When Bobby and Earleen were told their daughter would never walk, due to a birth defect, they found Dr. H.L. Arhlin in Rapid City and so began their many trips to straighten that foot and give her a great life! Like many country folk, Valorie grew up loving the ranch life and all it had to offer, especially her pets and anything outdoors. She loved riding horses, helping with chores, ice skating, sledding, country dances, swimming in the river and getting together with cousins.

Valorie attended 1st grade at West Deep Creek School, 2nd-6th grade at Fox Ridge School, 7th and 8th grade at Maurine School then off to high school in Faith. Later, she attended Black Hills State College where she earned an Associate Degree in Computer Software Applications Programming. During high school, she stayed in Faith all 4 years where she enjoyed basketball, track, and rodeo all while building friendships that lasted a lifetime!

On August 3, 1974, she married Doug Hlavka and moved to his family ranch near Plainview, SD. They were blessed with son, Jade in 1978 and daughter, Leann in 1980. Her greatest joy was raising these two on the prairie and watching them succeed in school, sports, and life. As you all know, the school activities your kids are in consume you for a time, but it is the BEST of times! Val felt that when watching her kids, there was nothing better. For Val, this included 4-H, church, and neighborhood fun. LIFE WAS GREAT!

Val worked at Afdahl Hardware and Hibner Bookkeeping during high school years and continued to help at Hibner's during tax season for many years. In 1986, they moved to Sturgis, where they rented Jim and Charmagne's house. Doug worked for Hilt Engineering while Val worked at Philtown General Store and for the Sturgis School District until she started school at BHSC. They moved back to the ranch in 1989, and Val began working at Takini School and enjoyed it for 23 years. For 2 years she worked from home with Administrative Solutions and for 7 years she worked from home helping schools online.

Val was a Plainview Extension Club member; a 4-H leader; an elementary school basketball coach; a board member of the Howard Township and Plainview Hall; a secretary/treasurer for many Faith High School, Takini High School, and Meade County 4-H rodeos; she helped with the H&M playdays and ropings; and was also the secretary/treasurer for Howes Grazing Association.  She was a member of the Marcus Church and taught Sunday School. Her hobbies included taking photos, making albums, and keeping family history; though admittedly, was not particularly good at it. She enjoyed the outdoors, be it riding or working around the ranch. Prairie life with family was what she loved.

The family was blessed with a friend and daughter-in-law Annie and soon joining them were three grandsons! Nana Val found a love that put new wind in her sails! What a joy to relive childhood adventures with Waylon, Zeke, and Briggs on the ranch and beyond. In Val's very own words, "Love you always and forever boys!"  She was forever blessed to have a perfect circle of friends and family to share in her life's journey.

Continuing their adventures here on Earth is her best friend and husband of 50+ years, Doug Hlavka; son Jade & Annie Hlavka; daughter Leann Hlavka; and grandsons Waylon, Zeke, and Briggs Hlavka; her brother Gary & Karen Price and their family; her sister Charmagne Lightfield and her family; sisters-in-law, Jeanny Hlavka (& family) and Janet Hlavka (& family).  Each family member had a special place in Val's heart, and she treasured each moment with them.

As she missed them each day, and hoped to reunite with them, are her parents Robert William and Earleen Elizabeth (Schuelke) Price; In laws John Robert and Marion Lucille (Overacker) Hlavka; brother-in-law James E. Lightfield; four Grandmothers she was so blessed to know, Florence Price, Elizabeth Schuelke, Gladys Hlavka, and Alice Overacker; four Grandfathers, on of which she was blessed to know for 5 years, Robert Price plus Albert Schuelke, Jack Hlavka , and Jesse Overacker; and her Aunts and Uncles whom she loved dearly.

Valorie Hlavka's services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday November 24th, 2025, at the Central Meade County Community Center with a luncheon to follow. Burial will take place on Monday November 24th, 2025, at the Plainview Cemetery following the luncheon. A visitation will be one day prior on Sunday November 23rd, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

In remembrance of Valorie's life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Shriners of Rapid City or the Enning Ambulance.