Molson Coors victims left behind shattered families and friends
At the funeral of Jesse Valle, Father Javier Bustos tried to reassure those who might be asking, “Where is God?” and “Why Jesse?”
He encouraged them to take a moment of reflection and to keep their faith.
Those questions surely haunt the families and friends of the other men who died in the Feb. 26 Molson Coors shootings.
Why Dale Hudson? Why Gene Levshetz? Why Dana Walk? Why Trevor Wetselaar?
Their names are now linked forever. They left behind beloved families who, for the most part, remain too shattered to talk publicly about their loved one and their loss.
What we do know is that each man had special gifts and passions. They touched lives and left impressions that they likely never realized. And whether walking on a trail, a dock or a golf course, they found different paths to happiness.
Jesus “Jesse” Valle loved his family, especially his two young children, 3year-old Santiago and 2-year-old Ivanna.
Valle’s sister Jenny would occasionally be their babysitter and remembers whenever he would drop the children off at her house, he would tell her “I love you” and, “Take care of my children.”
On March 3, Jenny Valle spoke at Valle’s funeral about her brother and the enduring heartache his death is causing.
“My family and I are going to suffer this pain,” Jenny Valle said.
She spoke of her brother’s kindness and willingness to help those he cared for, and she encouraged the hundreds of people in attendance to love those around them.
“Jesse was the best brother,” Jenny Valle said. “(Jesse was) and always will be everything that moves the family.”
Valle, who was 33 when he died in the
Molson Coors shooting Feb. 26, worked as a powerhouse operator at the brewery.
Valle enjoyed getting together and grilling food — something that Wisconsin winters couldn’t stop. He grilled in a friend’s garage during this past Super Bowl.
Valle’s family was proud of their heritage, and embraced their Catholic faith. A seven-piece mariachi band provided the music at his funeral.
Neighbors in the quiet south side neighborhood where Valle grew up remembered him as intensely devoted to his family.
“He was a very good dad and a very good husband and a very good son,” one neighbor said.
Sharon Schroeder, who has lived on the block for 52 years, said the first thing she thought when she heard about Valle’s death was “Oh my God, he’s got those little kids.” She said it didn’t seem like that long ago she was watching Valle riding toys up and down the block.
Another neighbor said Valle was particularly close with her husband and the two would sit outside the house and talk often. Valle was hard working and generous, she said, bringing over new Molson Coors beers when they were released and lending a helping hand. Once, he fixed her car stereo.
She called the loss “devastating” and added, “A parent should never have to bury their son.”
The Valle family has suffered the loss of a family member from gun violence in the past.
Alberto Valle, Jesus Valle’s cousin, wrote on Facebook: “I can’t even believe this is real again. Please keep my family in your prayers and hold those dearest to you close.”