Valerie "Bobbie" Eiken 96, Fargo, ND, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2017, in Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo.
Bobbie was born December 8, 1920, in Staples, MN, to John and Anna (Andre) Puhalla. The family moved from Staples to a farm near Blanchard, ND, and in 1932, to the Blanchard Bonanza farm, which her father operated. Bobbie graduated from Hillsboro (ND) High School and went on to beautician school in Fargo.
Bobbie was proud to have worked at the Lockheed airplane plant in California, where she wired the cockpits of PT-38 fighter planes, always writing or painting a message for future pilots.
On January 5, 1942, Bobbie married Chester Eiken in Moorhead, MN. They lived in various places in the United States, while Chet served stateside in the US Army, during WWII.
They returned to Fargo in 1947, and settled in Moorhead in 1951. Through the years, Bobbie was employed at Welu Dental Lab and also at the Moorhead Clinic of Dr. John Holten. Bobbie was a talented artist and attended many local art shows and street fairs.
In October of 2014, Bobbie moved to Rosewood on Broadway. A special thank-you to the staff of Rosewood, especially the Prairie Rose unit, for the wonderful care Bobbie received.
Surviving Bobbie is a sister, Florence Matson, Moorhead; sister-in-law, Betty Holkesvig, Portland, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chet, in 2005; and siblings, Frances, Nicklus, Louis, Matilda, Roselyn, Carolyn, Bernadine, and twin infant brothers.
Visitation will begin at 1 PM, followed by a funeral mass at 2 PM, Thursday, August 24, 2017, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.
Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.
Visitation
AUG 24. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CT)
St. Joseph Catholic Church
218 10th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56560
Funeral Mass
AUG 24. 2:00 PM (CT)
St. Joseph Catholic Church
218 10th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56560