Valentina Lvanovna Kutuzva Feofanova

Valentina Ivanovna Kutuzva Feofanova, age 88 of Green Bay, passed away on April 21, 2026. Valentina was born in a remote area in Voronezckya Oblast, USSR on October 2,1937. She was born with a beautiful singing voice and had dreams of becoming a professional singer, but in 1950 she developed a terrible sore throat, and poverty restrictions prevented her from getting proper treatment resulting in her loss of her singing voice. The loss ended her dream, however, her love for music continued. She met Valentin Feofanov while in Barnaul, USSR, and they got married in 1959. Two months later they moved to Zalesov, USSR. In 1961 she gave birth to her daughter, Alla. When Alla was just 9 months old, they moved again, this time to Bysk, USSR. In 1963 she started remote studies in music at the Barnaul Music College and graduated in 1968. There Valentina established a teaching career in music. Valentin had commission in the Soviet Interior Ministry, so in 1971 they moved once more, to Chkalovsk, Tajikistan, USSR. In the years that followed she had to balance care for her daughter and teach music at the Leninabad College of Music. In 1978 Valentin once again was ordered to a new assignment, this time in Chita, USSR. Valentina decided to stay with her daughter in Chkalovsk. She converted to become an Evangelical Christian; however, the timing created a problem. By the time the Soviet Union broke up and Islamists in Tajkistan started to persecute anyone preaching about Christ. The year 2001 was a milestone for Valentina when she was allowed to come to the United States on a parole visa. This was a significant change in her life, and she became an American citizen. Her love of God helped her cope with her declining health.

She is survived by her daughter, Alla Howlett and son-in-law, Thomas Howlett.

Friends may gather House of Prayer Church, 816 3rd St, Green Bay, WI on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 6pm. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.