Watch Valores' Funeral

Valores Larson, age 95, of Mahnomen, MN, died Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in Mahnomen.

Valores Mae, the daughter of Raymond and Willamina "Minnie" (Pagel) Ford, was born on December 8, 1926, in Grand Forks, ND.  The family moved often, but made their home in Ada, MN for several years.  While at a local dance in Bejou, MN, Valores met Leonard Larson and on November 6, 1954, they were united in marriage.  They lived in Haver, MT, for a time before returning to Mahnomen where they purchased a farm north of town.  Valores and Leonard were blessed with six children: Allen, Valorie, Katherine, Cynthia, Bonnie, and Gary.  Valores was a very busy mom and farmwife. While raising her children, she worked alongside Leonard helping combine the fields, milking cows, feeding pigs, and handling the financial bookwork.  Valores also raised both chickens and geese and had a large garden. She was an amazing baker, known for her buns, breads, donuts, and rolls. Each season she butchered, canned, and made the best headcheese.  Valores not only feed her large family but anyone else who stopped in, always cooking large meals.  She loved to visit with and serve others.  Valores worked many years as a waitress at the Red Apple Cafe in Mahnomen.  Her devotion to others and her hard work ethic was evident in all areas of her life.  Following Leonard's death in 2001, Valores continued to live on the farm until moving into Mahnomen several years later, where she had made her home since.

Valores and the family spent much of their free time on the lake at Elk Horn resort. Valores loved to fish and play fetch with her dog.  The family was members at First English Lutheran Church in Fosston, where Valores served on the ladies' aide and as a Sunday School teacher for many years.  Later in life, they transferred membership back to the church they were married in, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen.  She was active with the VFW auxiliary and enjoyed helping with Bingo.  Above all, Valores treasured her family. She adored kids and was so very proud of all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and of being a great-great-grandma.

Valores is survived by two sons: Allen (Karen) of Fertile, MN, and Gary (Rachel) of Mahnomen; four daughters: Valorie (Charlie) Charboneau of Detroit Lakes, MN, Katherine (Bryan) Dullum of Moorhead, MN, Cynthia (Michael) Vanderplaats of Mahnomen, and Bonnie (Brent) Vanderplaats of Hendrum, MN; 14 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister-in-law, Gloria Ostegard; and her precious dog and loyal companion, George.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard; one grandson, Seth and granddaughter-in-law, Cassie; one brother, Delmar; and three sisters: Viola, Shirley, and Betty.

Funeral Services were held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, MN.  Visitation was held Friday, January 7, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen and continued one hour prior to the service at the church.