Phillip Valiant

Phillip J. Valiant, age 69 of Forest City, MN passed peacefully at his home in Forest City on November 9, 2023 surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday November 14, 2023 at the Church of Our Lady in Manannah, MN.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday November 13, 2023 at Johnson Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service in Litchfield, MN, with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Tuesday.  Interment will be held in the St. Gertrude Cemetery in Forest City, MN.

Phillip (Phil) Joseph Valiant was born in Litchfield. MN on August 20, 1954 to Lloyd and Orella (Letourneau) Valiant.  Phil was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith at the Church of St. Gertrude’s. Phil spent his whole life in Forest City, attending country school and the Church of St. Gertrude’s there.  He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1972.  He was united in marriage with Josephine (Brulla) on November 5, 1983.  After graduation, he worked for Johnson Brothers Construction of Litchfield for several years before hauling milk cans for Forest City Creamery.  He spent the next 40+ years driving the road grader in Forest City Township with the Meeker County Highway Department, retiring in 2019.  Even in retirement, he kept busy continuing to work for Jim McCarthy and helping to care for his grandchildren.  He enjoyed spontaneous “drives” and would end up sight-seeing the country sides near and far.  He touched many young lives as a youth leader at St. Gertrude’s.  He was previously a long-time member of the St. Gertrude’s Church and Knights of Columbus.  Most recently a member of the Church of Our Lady in Manannah.  He was on the St. Gertrude’s Cemetery Board for 38 years and did cemetery maintenance for over 20 years.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Josephine, their four children, Jerry (Bobbi Jo) Valiant of Manannah, Melissa (Paul) Sackett of Watkins, Stephanie (Alex O’Neill) Valiant of Forest City and Joseph (Jackie) Valiant of Forest City; Grandchildren Alex, Riley, Isaak, Lukas, Jennifer, Jessica, Dawson, Devonte and Hudson; brother Donald (Betty) Valiant, Virginia Johnson, Jim Valiant, brother-in-law Lowell Mortensen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Orella Valiant, sister Patricia Mortenson, brother Lee Valiant, sister-in-law Holly Valiant, sister-in-law Ruth Valiant, brother-in-law Ralph Johnson.