Obituary: Valerie Florence (Thomas) Murre-Schlick

August 26, 1949 ~ November 22, 2022

Valerie Florence (Thomas) Murre-Schlick was born August 26, 1949, and died peacefully November 22, 2022, surrounded by her sons, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Valerie was born in Chicago to Ralph and JoAnn (Hedeen) Thomas. At two years old, she and her family moved to Sister Bay. There she was raised with her two brothers and the family was involved in the Hedeen family’s Crescent Orchards. They were members of the Sister Bay Moravian Church. Valerie attended Wildwood Elementary and graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1967. She went on to study at the University of WI-Madison before starting a family of her own. 

She married Ralph Murre in 1968. Together they raised two sons. 

Valerie worked front-of-the-house in numerous restaurants throughout Door County. She taught yoga aerobics courses and served on the Gibraltar School Board during that time. She returned to school at UW-Green Bay earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and graduating summa cum laude. She then continued to UW – Madison for post-graduate work in medical ethics. 

Valerie then returned home to Door County, where she would live the rest of her life.

Valerie’s second marriage was to Toben Schlick in 2005. She would soon join Toby in running the business he started, The Fish Creek Kite Company until they retired and closed the store.

Valerie was a life-long artist and accomplished photographer, working in black and white, and producing photographs from her dark room. She also enjoyed sketching, drawing, and painting. 

She was a lover of music of all kinds. She played the French horn when she was younger and learned to play the cello as an adult. Often Valerie could be found on the stage, acting in community theater and performing Paul Sill’s Story Theater, and many more. She was an avid supporter of the Arts Community here in Door County, having served as a board member for the Peninsula Art School. Valerie was also a dancer. She spent many years studying ballet, tap, and jazz. This love of movement and its health benefits lead to her study of Tai Chi which she did until her passing. 

In addition to the arts, Valerie and Toby loved spending time in nature and supported many causes to protect the wild areas surrounding us. They could often be found hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing. 

Valerie became an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, occasionally leading services and participating in various committees. 

Valerie possessed an amazing intellect that was driven by an unbounded curiosity and thirst for knowledge. She had a keen wit and an incredible sense of humor and her contagious laughter will forever be remembered. She was passionate and generous with her love. 

Valerie lost Toby to Covid-19 and Alzheimer’s in 2020 and is also proceeded in death by her parents Ralph and JoAnn Thomas.

She is survived by her sons: Morgan Murre, and Adrian (Kelly) Murre. Grandchildren: Mario, Salem, Makena, and Quentin. Brothers: Dean (Margaret) Thomas and Kurt (Lizbeth) Thomas. Uncle: Clemens (Kay Lee) Hedeen. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

A celebration of life will be held for both Valerie and Toby at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ephraim on Saturday, December 10^th at 1:00 PM. Please join us to share any remembrances and stories of their lives.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in their names to either the Ridges Sanctuary, Peninsula Art School, or the National Crane Foundation.