Obituary of Valerie Rose Lund

Valerie Rose Lund left us too soon, on March 4, at the age of 32. Valerie was a beautiful, talented and passionate girl who grew into a beautiful adult. Valerie was dealt a hand in life that included Bi-polar disorder and chemical addiction. This difficult combination was ultimately insurmountable, yet she persevered for many years amid tremendous odds, achieving academic success graduating from Edina High School and then from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree. She was also fluent in Spanish. Val excelled in sports, academics, and creativity. She had a particular gift for writing and spent many hours writing, composing and illustrating creative stories, movie scripts, and children's books. She loved animals and could be seen in her teenage years, rollerblading down the street, hair blowing in the wind, her dog Winnie running by her side. Valerie was a most amazing and thoughtful giver of gifts, always finding the exact right thing for each recipient. Val has left behind her grieving mother who loved her with all her heart, Jan Lund and Jan's wife Lori Richman, brother Nathan Richman, God-mom Laurel Cheple, brother Casey Straub (Lindsey), special aunt Carol Allyn, uncle John (Evelyn) Lund, grandmother Bettimae Richman, aunt Ellen Richman and uncle Fay Miller, aunt Judy and Rick Weinberger, special family Don Hayward, and many more loving family and friends. Valerie also left behind the greatest gift; two children whom she selflessly gave for adoption as newborns knowing that she would not be able to provide the life she wanted them to have. As an open adoption, Valerie was able to continue to deeply love these kids as they grew from infants to toddlers to beautiful children. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Jean and Allen Lund; and cousin David Lund. Memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), or Lutheran Social Services. A socially distanced memorial service will be held Thursday, March 11, 2021, 3:00 pm with visitation starting at 2:00 pm at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435. Masks are mandatory.