Russell VanValkenburg

Russell Van Valkenburg, age 85 of Hopkins, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at the Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins, MN.
On April 28, 1925, Russell Atkins Van Valkenburg was born to Leon and Amanda (Manthorne) Van Valkenburg in Long Prairie, MN. He graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1943 and served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He married Doris Reinbold on August 22, 1945. They began farming north of Osakis. After a baling accident in which he lost his right arm, Russell attended the MN School of Business in Minneapolis. He worked in the mail/print business for many years. Russell was the mailroom supervisor at the Sun Newspaper and later went to work at Control Data. Upon his retirement, Russell started a new venture as the owner of a floral delivery service.
In his early years, Russell played trombone in a dance band called the Musical Farmers. His love for music continued throughout his life and he learned play many other instruments. He was the president of the MN Blue Grass & Old-Time Music Association and loved traveling the country to various Blue Grass festivals. Russell especially enjoyed playing the harmonica and the Dobro guitar. He was a member of the Frog Hollow Boys and was known as 'Ol Bull Frog'. His second love was studying family genealogy and traced his ancestors back many generations. Russell also enjoyed dancing and getting out deer hunting each fall.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Doris Van Valkenburg of Hopkins; children, Jean (Ray) Yunker of Greenfield, John (LoAnn Arnett) Van Valkenburg of Prior Lake, Joyce (Cliff) Specht of Savage and Joe Van Valkenburg of Minneapolis; son-in-law, Bill Hill of Big Lake; 8 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; brothers, Byron 'Ike' (Dulcie) Van Valkenburg of Florida and David (Lorraine) Van Valkenburg of Long Prairie; many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents, a daughter, Janet Hill and granddaughter, Kristen Hill; an infant brother, Joseph and three brothers, Donald, Steve and Rowe Van Valkenburg.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis with Rev. Tim Sutton officiating. Special music was provided by Amy Van Valkenburg and the Frog Hollow Boys. Inurnment was at the Gordon Pleasant Hill Cemetery in rural Osakis, MN. Pallbearers were Kyle Van Valkenburg, Noel Van Valkenburg, Bill Hill, Cliff Specht, Ray Yunker and Scott Yunker.
Arrangements were handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.