Francis Valentyn

Francis "Bubs" Valentyn, age 82 of Faribault, died suddenly on Friday, December 14, 2012 at the District One Hospital in Faribault.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church (139 Mercy Drive) in Faribault. Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday morning.

Francis Leo, the son of Harry and Joanna (Langeslag) Valentyn, was born on June 4, 1930 in Faribault. He attended Bethlehem Academy in Faribault and graduated with the class of 1949. Bubs was active in the United States Army from 1947-1971, ranging from active duty in the Korean War to being Captain and Company Commander in the National Guard. On February 27, 1954, Francis was united in marriage to Marlene Riach at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Faribault. She later preceded him in death on January 31, 1995. Francis began working at P & W Construction Company and in 1966 joined the Faribault Regional Center and later retired as Director of Facilities and Services in 1995. Bubs enjoyed umpiring softball, being a basketball referee, golfing, camping at Shady Acres on Roberds Lake, fishing and antiquing. There wasn't anything that Bubs couldn't fix, from woodcrafts to building houses and from needlepoint to hemming pants. He always had the mindset of enjoying life and working hard. Francis was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 1460, American Legion Post 43 and the Faribault Elks Lodge, all in Faribault.

He is survived by his children, Debra Valentyn, Daniel (Judy) Valentyn and Keith (Diane) Valentyn, all of Faribault; his eight grandchildren, Josh Bluhm, Mikaela Bluhm (Travis), Christopher Bluhm, Amber (Paul) Brown, Andy (Melissa) Valentyn, Carrie (Jason) Hopkins, Jennifer Valentyn and Matt (Sarah) Valentyn; his 10 great grandchildren; his special friend, Peggy Werdan of Faribault; his sister, Mary Jo Miller of Faribault; his sisters in law, Maggie Valentyn of Cambridge, Rita (Colin) Mc Adam of Faribault, Betty (Clay) Kambic of Redwood City, CA and Jan Riach of Faribault and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marlene, a daughter Cecelia in infancy and by his siblings, Clarence, Lambert, Dennis and Theodora Wandrey.