Valgean Storlien

Valgean Storlien, formerly of Madison, died Wednesday November 11, 2020 at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 91.

Private memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 16, 2020.  A live stream of the service will be available on our website.

Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Valgean Wendlien Storlien was born at home in rural Lac qui Parle County, MN on August 17, 1929 to Charles and Marie Storlien. He grew up on a farm in Cerro Gordo township as the sixth of twelve children.

Valgean was baptized at Borgund Lutheran Church in Madison, MN and confirmed at Garfield Lutheran Church in Madison, MN. He attended rural country school near Madison through the 8th grade. Valgean joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1951. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Corporal.

Valgean married Doris Elaine Lindblad on December 18, 1954. They made their home on their farm in rural Madison where Val farmed until his retirement. He took great pride in keeping his farm place and machinery neat and tidy. He also loved a spotless vehicle and was often buying and trading his cars and trucks for the newest models. Doris and Val took several trips traveling around the United States. They were also strong supporters of their nieces and nephews and often attended their various events. Val was a cowboy at heart and enjoyed owning horses and listening to country western music.

Valgean and Doris moved to an apartment in Dawson, MN in 2015. During their years in Dawson, they enjoyed driving out to check on the farm, visiting with family and friends, playing “the penny game” with great-nieces and nephews and having pizza parties with family. Val still loved listening to country western music and could whoop, holler and yodel along if the mood was right.

Val moved to the Johnson Memorial Care Center in 2019. His favorite pastimes while at the Care Center were playing Bingo, spending his winnings on popcorn and Fiddle-Faddle at the Country Store, and spending time with Doris when she visited, and later moved to the Care Center as well. Val still enjoyed the occasional ride around the countryside and past the farm.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Doris Storlien; brothers Roger Storlien, Chuck (Phyllis) Storlien and Myron (Mary) Storlien; and sisters-in-law Irene Storlien and Lucille Storlien. Valgean is a special uncle and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marie Storlien; brothers Orville Storlien, Rueben (Evelyn) Storlien and Darrell Storlien; sisters Lorraine (Norval) Skoien, Delores (Beaumont) Boraas and Patricia (George) Kashmark; and sisters-in-law Diane Boraas, Beverly Storlien and Carol Vick; in addition to siblings Irene and Lyle in infancy.

Valgean will be remembered for his quirky sense of humor, his animated facial expressions, his love of cars and country music, and the unique way he touched all of our lives. Blessed be his memory