A. G. Valen, 1857-1931

VALEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/25/2009 at 17:20:27

With weather mild and calm on Nov. 4, 1931, and in the presence of the members of the Palestine church and also many neighbors and friends, Mr. A. G. Valen was laid to rest.

His children, ten in number, were all present at the funeral: Mrs. B. O. Wolden, though weak and frail, was brought to her childhood home for that day from the hospital at Fairmont, Minn., and Ida, who had come the long way from Los Angeles, Calif.

The service was held at 2 p.m. from the home near Huntington, and at 2:30 p.m. the service commenced at the Palestine church of which Mr. Valen had been a very faithful and helpful member for many years.

The funeral was in charge of Mr. Sternborg of Estherville. Rev. Peder Nordsletten officiated. In addition to him, Rev. T. Hanson of Lakefield spoke and Mr. C. J. Carlson of Estherville and Rev. R. Hjelmeland of Ceylon, Minn. Rev. L. A. Mathre of Estherville led the devotional at the home.

A quartette composed of Hazel Sunde, Emma Sunde, Alvin Sunde and Henry Sunde sang at the home, at the church and likewise at the grave. Miss Sadie Olson accompanied the singers.

The five sons of the departed and a son-in-law, Mr. B. O. Wolden, served as the casket bearers.

In addition to the many floral offerings there were given several gifts in the form of money to various missions and charitable institutions in memory of Mr. Valen who so uprightly lived among us.

The following obituary is written by Elmer Valen in grateful remembrance of their father: Arnt Gabrielson Nilsen Valen was born in Sondhordland, Norway, Nov. 5, 1857. He came to America at the age of 23, making his home with a sister for a short time, but soon came to Hamilton County, Iowa, where he resided until his marriage to Marie Abrahamsdatter Lear in 1889. He then together with Mrs. Valen, came to Emmet county. Residing for a few years in Emmet township, they later purchased a new home in Ellsworth township where they were by the grace of God permitted to live until their peaceful departure, Mother on April 2, 1917 and Father on Oct. 31, 1931.

Since Mother's departure, Father has walked in sweet anticipation of being permitted to join her again in the Father's bosom.

Their union was blessed with ten children, all of who are now living, Mrs. Thor Sunde, Mrs. B. O. Wolden, Gustave Valen, Lewis Valen, Mrs. John Tweedt, Henry Valen of Estherville, Arthur and Elmer Valen of Northfield, Minn.; Ida Valen, who in her later years has lived in Los Angeles, Calif., Alma Valen of Des Moines. Besides these he leaves to mourn one brother, G. G. Valen of Randall, Iowa, and a sister, Marie Gabrelsdatter Berge who lives in Norway, and thirteen grandchildren.

Mr. Valen, who passed away very quietly and quickly from heart failure on last Saturday, Oct. 31, 1931, lacked but five days of being 74 years old.

Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; November 11, 1931.