September 20, 1925 – Monday, February 11, 2013

Service Information
St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville, MN
Saturday, February 23, 2013
10:30 A.M.

Visitation Information
AT THE CHURCH
Saturday, February 23, 2013
9:30 A.M. till time of Mass

Valentine Schommer was born on September 20, 1925 in St. Leo, MN to John and Anna (Eischens) Schommer. Valentine had six brothers; Elmer, Clarence, Francis, Edward, Andrew and John. His father died young so his mother was left to raise the family alone.

Valentine spent his younger years in the Porter and St. Leo area. He worked on several different farms. He also worked at a greenhouse in Madison and hauled flax straw. Later he worked for Schmidt Brothers Excavating and at the Ford Plant in St. Paul. Val went into the Army in 1951, serving until 1953 in North Carolina, Alabama, and Korea. He met his first wife, Cecile Fox, while in the military. They were married July 25, 1953. After a short time in St. Paul, they moved to Taylorsville, NC. While in Taylorsville, he drove truck across country for Southern Paper Box Company. Later they moved to Newton, NC where he worked for 20 years at General Electric. He was a Certified Ambulance Attendant and served on the Rescue Squad for many years. He enjoyed going to Newport News, Virginia, for salt-water fishing. After his retirement, he and Cecile moved to Alexander County, NC, where they lived until her death. He then sold his home, bought a motor home, and came to Minnesota.

While visiting friends and relatives in the Taunton area, he became re-acquainted with Ardis Goslar, who had been a girlfriend in his teen years. They were married July 10, 2004. After their marriage, they lived in Mission, TX for seven years. Val and Ardis were very active in the Wagon City Mobile Home Park. Val enjoyed working with wood, making Wagon City house signs for many of the park residents, marble game boards, cedar chests, cabinets, and other items. They enjoyed going to music “jams”, playing dominos, marbles, and just visiting with their many friends. In May 2011, they moved to Albertville, MN to be closer to family. They met many new people in Albertville and enjoyed most of their same hobbies here. His grandson, Kevin, taught Val how to play cribbage. He then enjoyed playing it at the Senior Center and Community Room.

Val was preceded in death by his parents John and Anna Schommer, his first wife Cecile, and four brothers: Elmer, Clarence, Andrew and John. He was also preceded in death by his stepsons Rydell and lareth Goslar and his step grandson Greg VanDale.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ardis, brothers Francis and Edward, and many nieces and nephews, best friends Vern & Darlene Maslow and Charles & Dee Wilhite. Also survived by step-daughters LaNetta (Virg) VanDale, Rhonda (Tom) Bates, and Zelda Goslar; step-grandchildren: Kevin (Jeanne) VanDale, Mark VanDale, Michael (Katherine) Bates, Leanne (Chris) Snyder, Matthew Bates, Sean Goslar, and Berenice (Miguel) Venegas; and, also step great-grandchildren: Miki (A.J.) Ruffin, Teri VanDale, Emiliano and Santiago Venegas.

Val will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 10:30 AM at St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville, MN. Father Xavier Thelakkatt will be the celebrant.

Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 9:30 AM.

The Peterson Chapel, St. Michael/Albertville, MN assisted the family with arrangements.