Joseph D. Valentine

Joseph Donald Valentine—a mentor to many, and a friend to all—passed away on November 26th, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife, and four devoted children. He was 86. Joe was born in Sisseton, SD on March 26, 1935, son of late Clarence and Julia Valentine. He grew up on the Valentine homestead before his family moved to another farm near New Effington, South Dakota until 1947. He was a 1954 graduate of Sisseton High School. He was wise beyond his education, and people of all ages sought his advice. After high school, he served in the Navy from 1955 to 1959. He married the love of his life, Marian Louise George on February 7th, 1959. They eventually laid their roots in West St. Paul, Minnesota with their four children: Scott, Pam, Lisa, and Becky Jo. Joe worked for Northwest Airlines from 1962 until his retirement in 1992, dedicating his time for 30 years. Joe was a devoted husband and father, teaching them all that he knew. Joe truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; chatting with friends and family, spending time with his grandchildren whether it be sharing wild stories of his younger years or beating them in a game of cards and working in his shop. Anyone who met Joe, knew of his infectious passion for his family and his woodworking skills. He especially enjoyed making wood portraits, promise crosses, and anything his grandkids asked for. He won many awards and ribbons from his many projects including Best of Show and the People’s Choice, two years in a row! Joe loved spending time on the lake as well. It didn’t matter who he was with as long as the fish were biting, and the conversations were going steady. Joe was a spiritual man and a devoted member of the Church. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring eternal wife and his “little woman” of 62 years, Marian Valentine; children, Scott (Shawn) Valentine, Pam (Fran) Mikacevich, Lisa (Shawn) Gallahue, and Becky (Daryl) Dahlberg; eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren with one on the way. Joe also will be missed by numerous extend family and many wonderful friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Joey; parents, Clarence and Julia Valentine; sisters, Betty Brooks and Mary Hoffman; brother, Jerome; grandson, D.j. Dahlberg, and son-in-law, Mark Vrieze. A visitation is scheduled for December 8th from 4:00pm-8:00pm at the Starkson Family Life Celebration Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings, MN. Future arrangements for the funeral in Sisseton, South Dakota on January 12th at 10:30 am. If you wish to show your sympathy through a gift, instead of flowers, any money will be donated to the National Wild Turkey Federation