Valentine “Val” entered his “long-awaited” heavenly home on Thursday, November 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Val’s Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Living Word Fellowship, Dickinson with Rev. Scott Skones as officiant. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Valentine Philip Staudinger was born on April 18, 1935, to John and Christine (Metz) Staudinger, rural Dickinson, the eighth child of ten. His immediate family lovingly called him “Uncle Dick”. He was educated in Richardton schools.
On March 31, 1959, Val married Marlene Kottre at St. Clement’s Catholic Church, Haymarsh (rural Glen Ullin). Together they raised five children: Brenda, Deborah, Cynthia, Bradley, and Justin.
During the first years of marriage, Val attended heavy equipment school at Des Moines, Iowa and spent one season in road construction—part of it regrading Highway 8, north of Richardton. After one year in road construction, the farm where Val was raised, became available. Val and Marlene quickly moved there and he spent the rest of his years there. It was a wonderful place to raise a family!
Val poured his heart and soul into his land and cattle, filled with devotion to faith and family. His first venture was raising and selling Hereford bulls. He competed in livestock shows and earned many trophies. He also raised small grains and hay.
After retiring from active farming, he took great delight in fishing and gardening; especially growing his yellow honeymelons and muskmelons. The seeds came from his ancestors who brought them from Russia. He spent countless hours hoeing them that his favorite hoe developed a bend in the handle.
Val also loved fishing, when his children were younger, he bought a camper so more time would be spent by the water—river or lake, of course, to catch more fish! He so looked forward to Father’s Day Celebrations at Mossett Bay: Fishing, eating lots of German Food and enjoying family conversations with much laughter. He so treasured his fishing companion, Jim and their outings back in the 1990’s.
He spent the last ten months in Benedictine Living Community where he was given loving care. He has outlived all of his siblings!
Val is survived by his wife, Marlene; children, Brenda (Gregg) Synnes, Killdeer, Debbie (Randy) Kuntz, Belfield, Cindy (Dave) Selinger, Dickinson, Brad (Janet) Staudinger, Richardton, and Justin Staudinger, Westminster, MD; grandchildren, Lacia Synnes, Ashton Synnes, and Jaxon Synnes, Alyssa (Eric) Kubischta, Chandra Selinger, Braden Selinger, Jalyn (Marcus) McGill, and Sam Staudinger; one great-grandchild, Carter Synnes, and one on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Christine; siblings, Frank, Louise, Regina, Magdalena, Deloris, Margaret, Elmer, and John; and infant brother, Joseph.