Coni Dee (Marquardt) Valentine

Coni Dee (Marquardt) Valentine, 76, of Spicer, died Sunday, September 6th at her home with her family gathered around her.  There will be a family graveside service on Saturday, October 10th at 11 a.m. at the Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven, a Celebration of life will follow at the Spicer Legion from 2-4 p.m. all are welcome.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home. www.hafh.org

Coni was born July 6, 1944, in her family home in Kerkhoven, the daughter of Melvin “Bubs” and Elsie Marquardt.  She was #3 of 9 siblings.  As a teenager, she became an avid fan of Elvis Presley which turned into a collection of his memorabilia.  Loving to dance would continue thru her lifetime and was often referred to as the “dancing waitress.”  Coni married Ronald (Butch) Wrobleski on March 6, 1965, and to this union Kevin and Korin were born.  They lived in Robbinsdale where she was employed at Nelson & Nelson Jewelry Store and opened a daycare in their home. Five years after their divorce, she moved to Spicer and married Virgil Valentine and later divorced.

She held various jobs which included waitressing at the Blue Heron, Willmar American Legion, Spicer American Legion, Timbers, Safari South. She also sewed drapes for Glenyce Gulbranson for several years.  She was an active volunteer at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School and exercise classes.  She also enjoyed biking and running around Green Lake.  Coni loved being a paraprofessional for the Willmar Public Schools for over 20 years, she was addressed as “Mrs. V,” teaching sign language and other daily living skills for these special people.  After retiring Coni was a Foster Grandma at the New London Spicer Public Schools and made a variety of costumes for the “wax museum” the students chose who they wanted to impersonate, such as Cleopatra, Elvis Presley, and Abraham Lincoln. Also she was a part time employee for Divine House group home.

Besides Elvis, Coni loved the Minnesota Vikings, and collecting blue glass, Eagles, and snowmen.  Her mind was always full of ideas and projects such as cell phone holders, plastic bucket chairs and lawn ornaments which she readily gave away.  She motivated her family to assist in getting them accomplished.  She enjoyed giving away Gaylon’s garden produce to her neighbors, her brother Jon, making apple sauce and pies.  She encouraged others and loved and fretted over her grandsons, Damon and Cavan through adulthood. Her nieces and nephews lovingly called her “Crazy Coni.”  Her sisters and Celeste would frequently go on “Road Trips” to Goodwill, Savers, and a spur of the moment trip to Illinois for an Elvis bike.

Coni had a gusto for life and will be remembered for that as well as her “stubbornness!”  Fittingly, as she was growing up her nickname was, “The Bull Dog.”

Surviving are her children, Kevin Wrobleski of Bull Head City, AZ; Korin (and Steve) Lindstrand of Kandiyohi; grandchildren: Damon (and finace,Sandra) Wrobleski of Minneapolis, Cavan (and Sarahi) Wrobleski of Phoenix, AZ, Chaz (and Clare) Lindstrand of Spicer and Dalton (and special friend, Hannah) Lindstrand of New London; Siblings: Ardell (and Jan) Marquardt of Atwater, Diane LeBrun of Weatherford, TX, Ron (and Vonnie) Marquardt of Maple Plain, Marcia (and Bob) Rutledge of Willmar, Donna (and Marv) Melin of Spicer, Jon Marquardt of Atwater, Larry (and Connie) Marquardt of Atwater and Gaylon Marquardt of Kerkhoven as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Carris Health Rice Hospice.

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