Donald J. VALENTO

1933 - 2023

Age 90.5, of Little Canada, MN Passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023. He is survived by his beautiful wife and lifelong dance partner of 65 years Janet (Thieling) Valento; his seven children: Jeff (Bernadette), Cindy (Marty) Coughlin, Dan (Shari), Bernie (Stephanie), Tim (Julie), Todd (Julie), and Gina (Jim) Hosch; his twenty three grand children; and five great grandchildren with another on the way; and his siblings James (Kathy), Jack (LuAnn), Jerry, Jeff, Larry, Mark (Mary), and Tony (Theresa). Preceded in death by his brother Marvin Valento, sisters Dorothy Cardarelli and Rosemary McNea, and granddaughter Samantha Valento. He was a proud father and his family meant the world to him. He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and his children. Don and Jan were avid dancers, dancing several times a week through his 80s. Don lettered in hockey and graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1951. A highlight of his high school years was participating in the 1951 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament. Upon graduating from high school, Don joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952. He went to Korea in 1954 and returned home a year later. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1960 with a civil engineering degree. In 1958, Don married the love of his life, Janet Thieling. Don and Jan raised their seven children in Little Canada. In 1968, he founded Valento Construction which he operated for twenty years. In 1964, Don was appointed to the Little Canada City Council where he served for eight years. Don was elected mayor of Little Canada in 1972 and served as mayor for five years. In 1978, Don was elected to the State Legislature House of Representatives where he was re-elected seven times. On his 90th birthday, the Little Canada City Council declared February 22, 2023, Don Valento Day and three weeks prior to his death, Don was honored to be Grand Marshal of the Canadian Days parade. In 1966, Don was a St. Paul Jaycee which led him to be a king's guard in the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Don became a lifelong member of the Order of the Royal Guard. In 1968, he was Prime Minister to King Boreas. In 1976, he was Prime Minister of the Vulcan Krewe. Don will be remembered as an amazing husband, a great father and grandfather as well as a dedicated member of his community. His family and those who knew him will miss him greatly! Visitation Wednesday, September 6th from 5:00-8:00pm at St. John the Evangelist, 380 East Little Canada Road in Little Canada. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist on Thursday, September 7th at 11:00am with visitation from 10:00-11:00am. A private interment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, prayers for Don and his family are appreciated.