The recorded funeral link: https://youtu.be/r4hdQLBtVQ8

Valerie Lynn (Olderbak) Seibel, 71, peacefully passed away to her eternal home on July 23, 2024 at Farmstead Living Memory Care in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024 at New Life On Main in Harvey. Burial will follow in Sunnyside Cemetery, Harvey, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Valerie was born June 26, 1953, in Rugby, ND to David and Verna (Liming) Olderbak. She grew up with her parents and older siblings, David Allen and Mary Ellen (Scholand) on a farm on the hill east of Lawton, ND. She attended 1st through 6th grade in Lawton, ND; then Edmore, ND until she graduated in 1971. During grade and high school, Valerie enjoyed being a basketball cheerleader. During her junior year, the 313 Steak House in Devils Lake, ND asked her to participate in a beauty pageant. She performed a trampoline routine as her talent and made her family very proud. During her summers growing up, they would travel south for the family's custom combining business. As the crew would harvest, Valerie, Mary Ellen and their mother would prepare meals for the crew of 21. After high school graduation, Valerie worked at a military facility near Langdon, ND. This position provided an opportunity for Valerie to spread her wings with a brief move to Colorado Springs, CO. While living there, she enjoyed the beauty of Colorado while snow skiing and camping with friends. It was in her early 20's she fully committed her life to Jesus as her Lord and Savior. This dedication established a firm foundation of faith, love, and joy for her whole life. After a blind date set-up by a mutual friend, Valerie started her lifelong marriage to Ted Seibel on June 28, 1975. Together, they moved to Harvey, North Dakota where they established their home and careers. Ted and Valerie were blessed with two children, Camille (Voth) and Dustin. It was Val's joy to be able to focus on raising her children and managing their home. Once the children were off to school, Valerie started her career as a legal secretary in Ted's law practice. Her grace and professionalism she brought to the legal practice did not go unnoticed by anyone who entered or called. In her 50's, Valerie was driven to expand her career as a real estate agent. She worked hard and very quickly excelled doing land sales for Lien Auction & Realty and later Pifer's Auction & Realty until she retired in 2014. One of her great joys was her grand and great grandchildren. Valerie's main goal in retirement was to be ever present in the lives of her grandchildren. Ted and Val established a lake home near Detroit Lakes, MN that provided a beautiful backdrop for time with grandchildren filled with fishing from the dock, swimming or pontoon rides on the lake, baking treats, or doing crafts. She loved being available to support her children as parents and build bonds with her grandchildren. She took every opportunity to watch dance recitals, school choir or band programs, grandparent's days, and sporting events. She loved seeing them grow up and getting to know each of their individual personalities. She was always an ear to listen, a hug for comfort, a laugh on an adventure, a cheer for support, or even a chauffeur to get them somewhere. In Ted and Val's retirement together, they enjoyed traveling to warm weather destinations. Their travels lead to a second home in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. There, they gained many new friends, re-established old friendships, and created new memories with family. In their travels, they sought out local ministries to engage while on vacation, which invariably became the highlight of the trip. Also, in her retirement, Valerie expanded her passion for painting. She painted anything that brought her joy… locations where Ted and Val traveled, any random request of a grandchild, "grand dogs", representations of her grandchildren, or symbols of her faith. She would often ask others what brought them joy and she would paint it for them as a gift or provide paintings as charitable donations. It was Valerie's faith in Jesus that was the constant undercurrent from which all the love, joy, compassion, and empathy flowed to everyone she encountered. Even at 10 years old, Valerie and her sister would walk to church Sunday mornings all on their own without parental direction. She loved studying the Bible and spent hours absorbing and learning all it had for her. She was always very active in her local churches from secretarial work, children's or youth ministries, nursery volunteer, prayer teams, or small groups. Wherever she was needed, she brought her dedicated work and sweet nature. She had the ability to see people's struggle no matter what it was and sit with them in it. It was her authenticity that drew people to her and allowed them to be vulnerable with her – it was there she brought love and healing. She was a prayer warrior… if she said she was praying for you, she did with all her heart. Her faith and the love she showed to everyone is her greatest legacy. Valerie's favorite Bible verse was Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 31: 24-31 "Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue... Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her… a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates."

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ted, of Fargo, ND; two children, Camille (Joshua) Voth of Lake Park, MN and Dustin (Holly) Seibel of Bismarck, ND; six grandchildren, Alexis (Justin) Ruth, Mia Voth, Mac Voth, Olivia Seibel, Brynn Seibel, Emma Seibel; two great grandchildren, Liam Ruth and Mila Ruth. Her siblings, David Allen Olderbak of Spring Hill, Florida and Mary Ellen (Gary) Scholand of West Fargo, ND. She is preceded in death by her parents, David and Verna (Liming) Olderbak.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff at Farmstead Living where she was lovingly cared for in the last 1.5 years of her life.

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