Dorothy Nancy Valland

Dorothy Valland, age 92, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A Funeral service will be held at 11 AM Friday, October 7, 2022, at Sunnycrest United Methodist Church (4801 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57106) in Sioux Falls, SD with Rev. Charles Moore officiating.  Burial will follow at Bethania Cemetery near Colton, SD.

There will be a time of visitation at the church the morning of the funeral, October 7th from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls Community Playhouse.

Dorothy N Valland was born May 18, 1930, in Kimball, SD, to Edward and Almeda Peterson (Corr), later graduating from Colton High School. She was united in marriage to Myron A "Mike" Valland on June 1, 1952. They resided on their family farm until moving to Sioux Falls in 1987. Together they had three children: Steve, Nancy, and Todd. They went on to celebrate 56 years of marriage before the passing of her beloved Husband.

After graduation, Dorothy began her career at the telephone office in Sioux falls. She would later move to the farm west of Colton and work on the farm with Myron while raising their three children. After moving back to Sioux Falls, she would spend the next twenty-plus years working for the Brewer family, "becoming part of their family" Dorothy truly enjoyed the family and later attended their children's graduations and weddings.

Dorothy was an avid bowler until her 90th birthday, winning many awards for high scores and high series. Dorothy was warmly referred to as "Radar" by her bowling teammates. In addition, she loved her book clubs, bible study groups, and interacting with her church members at Sunnycrest United Methodist Church and the Colton Methodist Church, where her mother Almeda played the organ and piano until her passing.

Dorothy was very fashion-forward, wearing the latest trend. She loved her daily walks; some would say her closet was full of walking shoes. She enjoyed her mornings completing the Argus Leaders crossword puzzles and tending to her flowers.

She loved South Dakota history, old red barns, and seeing her grandchildren. After moving back to Sioux Falls, she enjoyed long car rides, reminiscing and visiting all that South Dakota has to offer - old farm areas, camping, and attending events at Washington Pavilion and Orpheum Theater Center, along with summer concerts in the park.

After her Husband's passing and her children living outside of Sioux Falls, Dorothy would spend her time and enjoy the holidays with her sister Evelyn and their families. Dorothy and Evelyn traveled to many locations, including Alaska, Virginia, Disney World, Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Seattle, Canada, Nebraska, Alabama, Missouri, and Texas, as well as many state parks.

Dorothy had an unlimited capacity for caring and sharing. She truly loved being around people, whether just sitting and visiting or dining out. Fiercely independent, she never turned down a chance to travel or meet up with friends and enjoyed a good challenge. We all miss her terribly, but we take comfort in knowing that she is looking down on us from heaven. Today, we gather to celebrate her life and all that she meant to us. We reflect on all the wonderful memories we shared with her and how lucky we were to have her in our lives. Even though she is gone, she will always be with us in our hearts. We know she is smiling down on us today as we honor her memory and share our love for her.

She is survived by her son, Steve (Carol) Valland of Pierre, SD; daughter, Nancy (Kent) Schmidt of Manassas, VA; and son, Todd (Cissy Buhler) Valland of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one great, great-grandchild; sister, Evelyn Wilkinson, and Sister-in-law Mary Ann Peterson. Dorothy had many nieces and nephews who loved her and always included her in their daily lives. The family would like to give special thanks to Julie & Russ Dirks, Beth & Kevin Moore, Tim & Rhonda Wilkinson, and Lynn & Layne Jacoway.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Myron A. “Mike” Valland; brothers, Don Peterson and Charles Peterson; sister, Mary Jane Chesley Malone (Peterson).