Valerie "Val" I. (Walla) Somerville

Valerie "Val" I. (Walla) Somerville

September 20, 1950 - December 14, 2022

Val Somerville 72, passed away at home in Monticello the evening of Wednesday, December 14, 2022. After a long battle of 15 years with Wegener’s Granulomatosis disease that also triggered many other complications, especially in the last year. She was with her husband, Bob Somerville of 52 years in his arms. 

Val was born to Mayme (Leppala) and Clarence Walla in Duluth Minnesota on September 20, 1950 and moved to Brainerd while in early childhood. There, Mayme remarried to Joseph Popowski and Val was raised with her brother Lyle, and sister Yvonne that all preceded her in death.

She graduated Washington High School in Brainerd class of 68, then she met Bob who lived down the street and was married August 15, 1970. She graduated from St Cloud State University specializing in Special Education and English as part of the class of 1972.  December of 1972, she joined the Monticello School District 882 as a teacher specializing in Special Education for 40 and ½ years of being a very loved member of the staff, and retired May 2013. 

Val is survived by loving husband, Bob; daughters, Betsy and Katie; and granddaughter, Kenzie. 

Val loved traveling the North American continent with family and has visited 49 states and most of the Canadian provinces along with the Scandinavian European countries. She and Bob took many pictures along the way and have been active within the Monticello community with the Chamber, Photo club, and has sold many of their pictures in their photo print business with a focus on nature, she especially loved the wildflowers. She enjoyed sewing and reading in her downtime along with creating her photos and memory books. The last 7 years, her granddaughter Kenzie has been the highlight of her life and most special gift. 

Visitation will be held at the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel on Thursday, December 22nd starting at 11am to 1pm, service will be at 1pm at the same location. A celebration of life is to follow at the Monticello VFW from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. 

Service will be livestreamed at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83133177856?pwd=ZzhrZGdWWFRQUGY4dFNYZnFiMWlDUT09
Passcode: 6401280871

Serving the family is Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel of Monticello. 763-295-2918. www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com

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