Watch Val's funeral service

Valorie "Val" Eklund, age 66, of Twin Valley, MN, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, March 13, 2023.

Valorie Elaine Syverson, the daughter of W. Garfield and Varadeen (Asp) Syverson, was born on September 2, 1956, in Thief River Falls, MN.  Throughout her childhood, Val moved several times with her mother and stepfather, never staying in one community very long.  Over the years, she spent most of her time in Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska.  While babysitting her cousins in Twin Valley, she met the love of her life, Michael Eklund.  She immediately knew Mike was "the one" and in 1976, the couple was united in marriage.  Val loved that he made her laugh, and Mike continued to make her smile for nearly 47 years.  They made their home together on the Eklund homestead near Faith, MN, where they raised their daughters and farmed as a family.  Val was very active on the farm, never shying away from hard work. She hauled grain and fuel, picked branches and rock, rode the drills and kept the whole crew fed. Val also washed, waxed, and kept the farm equipment shining.  She took pride in her home, decorating for the holidays, and tending to her flowers.  Val loved quilting and handmade many beautiful keepsakes.  She was most content at home in her sewing room, with a cup of coffee and a puzzle book nearby.  She cooked, canned, and baked nearly everything from scratch.  Val was efficient, frugal and resourceful. She was both thoughtful and generous, and genuinely found more joy in giving than receiving. She made every holiday special, provided what she could for others, and made those around her feel special and loved.

Val had a very strong faith and an unwavering belief in God's grace.   She ensured her children received a religious education, attended Sunday School, confirmation, and church services, and fostered their belief in faith.  In years past, Val was active with the Wild Rice Sunday School as a teacher and superintendent, and always helped in the church kitchen when needed.  Above all, Val loved her family and was the ideal matriarch.  She was so proud of her daughters and the women they grew to be.  Her grandson, Taylor, was her world, and "Grandma Bal" could never say no to him.  She was eagerly awaiting the title of Great Grandma upon the anticipated arrival of the twins.  Val's smile, her laugh, and her appreciation of the simple things in life were true blessings.

Valorie is survived by her husband, Mike of rural Twin Valley; daughters: Roxanne (Jared) Visser of Ada, MN and Traci (Jeremy LeQuire) Eklund of Breckenridge, MN; her grandson, Taylor (Kayla) Visser of Faith; three brothers: Duane (Jacki Hoveskeland) Syverson of Oakfield, TN, Karmith (Ashley) Christensen of West Fargo, ND and Delane Christensen of Dilworth, MN; four sisters-in-law: Julie (Wayne) Wenner of Jamestown, ND, Karen Fuglie of Wylie, TX, Karolyn Eklund of Brookings, SD, and Lori (Steve) Skaurud of Twin Valley, MN; and many extended family members including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Garfield Syverson and Varadeen and Arnold Christensen.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19, from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm, with a Prayer Service beginning at 4:00, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley.