James August Valentin

James “Jim” Valentin, age 82, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center. Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 9, 2021, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall. Interment with military honors will follow in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, July 9, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m.

James “Jim” August Valentin was born October 17, 1938, to Willie and Helene (Lerch) Valentin. He was 1 of 13 children. Jim was born in Birch Cooley Township, Renville County, Minnesota. He graduated in 1956 from Bird Island High School and then enlisted in the United States Army in 1956. Jim was honorably discharged in 1959 and after his service, he moved to Minneapolis and worked for Western Union.

On June 3, 1960, he met Ms. Joanne Schaffran on the back of a Greyhound Bus as he headed home for his brother’s graduation. They were married on March 4, 1961, in the Johnsonville Lutheran Church in Lucan, Minnesota. While his family was growing up, Jim was always there supporting his boys’ activities. Whether it was coaching their teams, a chaperone on class trips, attending concerts, or just being their biggest cheerleader, Jim’s love and support for his family was never ending!

During their 60 years of marriage, Jim and Joanne made their home in Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington, and then Marshall. While in Marshall, they opened their home to several exchange students, a teacher from China, and anyone who needed a place to stay while they were in Marshall.

Jim then began working for the Super America and Conoco service stations before owning Mobil stations in Bloomington and later in Burnsville. In 1979, he started his career with The Schwan Food Company. He served in various roles including warehouse manager prior to his retirement in 2003.

Over the last 20 years, Jim’s enjoyments in life included fishing, ushering for his church, played cards, exercising at the YMCA, and he especially cherished time with his grandkids. He was also a bailiff for Lyon County and a member of the Marshall American Legion.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Joanne Valentin; sons, David Valentin of Shakopee; Dean Valentin of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Londyn of Shakopee, Garrett of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Lyndsey of Los Lunas, New Mexico; brothers, Walter (and Doris), Arnold (and Arlene), Bruno (and Loretta), Robert (and Pam), John; sisters, Martha Keil, Mary Ann (and Bill) Ruhland; many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Willie and Helene Valentin; brothers, Karl, William, Richard; sisters, Helen Valentin, Margaret Anderson; brother-in-law, Robert Keil; and sister-in-law, Elsie Valentin.