Joseph Valtinson

Rev. Joseph O. Valtinson Jr. of Fridley passed away peacefully on April 4, 2018 at the age of 87. He was born on November 28, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York to Marie and Rev. Joseph O. Valtinson Sr.  He and his family moved to DeKalb, Illinois a year later. He graduated from DeKalb H.S. in 1949. He attended Northern Illinois University from 1949 to 1950 and transferred to Augsburg College where he earned a B.A. in June 1953. He spent one school year at Luther Theological Seminary in 1953 and 1954. He married Betty Ose, the love of his life, on November 16, 1954. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. Later, he built homes in DeKalb, IL and sold building products for several years. He resumed his seminary education and graduated from Luther Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 1974. He served as Associate Pastor of First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights from 1973 to 1980. He served as Sr. Pastor of Elmwood Evangelical Free Church from 1980 to 1995. During retirement, he participated in many short-term mission trips to places in the Philippines, Africa, Central America and Haiti. He joined mission groups building churches, schools, mission buildings as well as groups showing the “Jesus” film. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty, his children, Joe Valtinson, III, Elaine Hoff (Tom), Larry Valtinson (Terri), and Randy Valtinson (Helen), 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Ruth Muehlenbeck, Mary Vevle (Robert) and Lois Moore (Ron). Preceded in death by daughter Gale Valtinson.

Visitation will be held at Miller Funeral Home at 6210 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley, MN on Sunday, April 8, 2018 from 3 – 5 pm.

The Memorial Service will be held at New Hope Church on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 4 pm. 4225 Gettysburg Ave. N., New Hope, MN.

In lieu of gifts please send memorials to the Jesus film at www.jesusfilm.org.