John T. Valen (1849-1926)

VALEN, LEE, KAMPLEY, KALSEM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/28/2020 at 14:05:32

From Nevada Evening Journal June 21, 1926 (page 1)

OLD SLATER CITIZEN CALLED BY DEATH

JOHN VALEN HAD LIVED AROUND SLATER FOR NEARLY HALF CENTURY

Special to the Journal.
Slater, June 21--The funeral services of John Valen, 77, who died Monday were held at the Lincoln church, on Thursday afternoon in charge of his pastor, Rev. E. Duea. The floral offerings were beautiful. Miss Ella Maland sang the solo, "Naar Solen Gauger Fil Hoile" and mesdames O. F. Reinertson and A. L. Peterson sang, "Jeg er fremmed Je er en Pilgrim" and "God Will Take Care of You."

The deceased had been failing in health for some time due to heart trouble and complications. He was buried on the birthday of his son Henry who was buried a month ago. The pall bearers were H. E. Halverson, N. R. Sydnes, Jacob Ersland, Tarkel Walker, Severt Houge and Lars Vespestad. Interment was made in the local cemetery.

John T. Valen was born May 5, 1849 in Valen, Norway and died June 14th, 1926 at the age of 57 years, 1 month and 9 days. In 1875 he was married to Bertha Lee. They came to America in the year 1882 coming to Huxley, where they resided at the time of his death. To this union were born thirteen children of whom four died in infancy. One son, Barney, died in 1911 and one son, Henry, preceded his father in death just a month ago. He leaves to mourn him, his wife and sons John of Jackson, Minnesota, Tom of Webster City and Sanford, daughters, Mrs. W. Kampley and Mrs. F. Kalsem of Huxley, Julia and Marie of Slater and nineteen grandchildren.

The neighbors and friends of Mr. Valen rendered the following tribute to his memory and it was read at the funeral service.

"He was a man of quiet disposition and an unassuming manner. Faithful and honest. In all our dealings with him during the years gone by we have never found him wanting when help was needed and we are glad to say that a better neighbor and friend has never lived and we feel that in the death of Mr. Valen we have lost a most sincere friend."