BETHESDA, Md.—Valerie Bursten, a veteran executive in the window coverings industry, has died. She was 70.

Bursten and her husband, Steve, began their careers in the 1960s in the drapery-fabrics business. Together, they founded Decorating Den, an international franchise business, in 1969, in which Valerie Bursten served as instructor in decorating and window fashions. Early in the last decade, they founded Exciting Windows! and Window Coverings University, for both of which she was serving as an instructor at the time of her death.

Aside from her husband, Bursten is survived by two sons and two grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for Jan. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to the National Association for Mental Illness.