Valborg Elaine Tranby Flagstad, 90, passed away at West Hills Village Health Care Center in Rapid City, SD, on August 20, 2024.
Val was born near the shores of Cameron Lake on April 4, 1934, in Erskine, MN the third child after 9- and 14-year-old brothers, who both tried to spoil her. She was called “min vesle guri” or “lille Valborg” by her father as Norwegian was spoken in their home. Besides a two-year stint in Duluth during the war, Val grew up entirely in Erskine attending school and receiving perfect attendance at the Grace Lutheran Church Sunday school program. Her mother taught her the high art of lefse making in these years, a craft she kept her whole able life. After finishing in a tie for Valedictorian, Val went on to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where her parents took jobs on staff to reduce the cost of tuition.
It was at Concordia where she met her future husband, LeRoy, at a bible study in Old Main. After earning her two-year teaching certificate, Val went on to teach 3rd grade at Climax, MN, then later in Philip, SD.
Val and LeRoy were married on June 11, 1955, and served hand in hand in ministry, child rearing, and growing together in the Lord for the entirety of their lives. They lived and served together in South Dakota at Philip, Bison, Mobridge, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. In retirement, they resided at West Hills Village, amongst many friends.
During life, Val often filled in as organist, bible study leader and ladies aid leader while trying to keep her children in their handmade and polyester best in the pew on Sunday mornings. Sometimes with success. Val sang alto in the church choir, hosted numerous church gatherings, and fed homeless angels from our home. As a pastor’s wife this was her calling, and humble honor. Val taught piano lessons, knitted prayer shawls, and promoted healing with the American Indian Movement. Hardanger was a craft at which she excelled and enjoyed, entertaining others in a hardanger group as they kept each other in stitches.
She worked in the admissions office at Augustana College and during this time finished her Elementary Education bachelor’s degree thru Concordia Moorhead, walking with the graduating class of 1980. With this degree she went on to work as a substitute teacher.
In Rapid City she co-wrote Sons of Norway skits with LeRoy, assuming the character of Guri with LeRoy’s Tosten. During LeRoy’s retirement years at the Chapel in the Hills, she managed the Stabbur gift shop.
Val is preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Alfred Flagstad after a marriage of 67 years. Also preceded in death by her parents, Carl Einar and Hannah Marie Salveson Tranby, and brothers, Arnold and Melvin Tranby. She is survived by her sisters in law, Melvina Tranby, Shirley Skoglund, Jeanne Flagstad. LeRoy and Val’s children are Dr. Lois Flagstad, (Dr. James Fleming), Miami, NM; Paul (Ann) Flagstad, Burnsville, MN; Ruth (Brian) Lundborg, Lexington, KY; Mary Beth (Art) George, Burke, VA.
Joys in her life were her grandchildren: Luther (Liliana) Flagstad, Marie (Josh) Brewers, Hannah (Adam) Raymond, Samuel (Katie) Lundborg, Joshua Lundborg, Emily Lundborg, Anders Flagstad, Marisa George, and Austin George; and great grandchildren, Jordy and Macy Brewers, Asher and Judah Flagstad-Sanchez, Oliver Raymond and another baby Raymond on the way. May you see your children’s children. Psalm 128:6
Val will be remembered for her love of Jesus and always present prayer life. If you knew her, Val prayed for you, as she prayed for all people to know Jesus. Almost without exception in conversation, she would say “I pray for each one of you every day”. She said this as often as she said, “I love you”. They are really the same statement flowing from an understanding of how Jesus loves and longs for each one of us. Listen to that invitation and come, join with Him now and in heaven. All of life’s questions had a solution that involved looking to Jesus. Focus on Jesus, she would say.
The visitation will be held on August 30, at 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Blvd. The celebration of life will be on August 31 at 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Kansas City St., Rapid City. Lunch provided after the service, followed by the committal at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to: Chapel in the Hills 3788 Chapel Ln Rapid City, SD 57702,Trinity Lutheran Radio Ministry402 Kansas City StRapid City, SD 57701, or donate to an organization of your choice.
