Valerie M. Hrabe, age 63, of Elko New Market, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Val was born on February 11, 1959 in Faribault to Ronald and Dorothy (Malecha) Machacek. She graduated from Montgomery High School and started working at M.V.E. as a welder. Unbeknown to Val, there was a young man who also worked at MVE. They would finally meet when they both attended their milkman's wedding dance; it was love at first sight for both of them and Val married Dan J. "Herbie" Hrabe on May 14, 1983 in Faribault. Val went to work at Malt-O-Meal, then back to Chart, and most recently at Gamma Vacuum in Shakopee. The couple settled and raised their family in Lonsdale and New Prague before finding their way to rural Elko New Market. It was then that Val's interest in rocks was fed by forays into the neighboring farm fields, collecting enough rocks to landscape the entire west side of their home. She and Dan's road trips, where they'd just get in the car and go, often saw the trunk filled with Val's rock treasures. After the kids were out of the home, Val cultivated an interest in astronomy, loving the energy of stones and crystals and feeling a special affinity for the moon and stars.
She loved gardening, especially flowers and a return to native plants. She was a wonderful cook and canned the fruits of her gardens, famous for her salsa and horseradish. She made homemade soap, which proved to be healing for a granddaughter's skin ailments. She was devoted to her children, their fiercest sports fan when attending their high school hockey games. When the grandchildren came along, that devotion expanded to them and she was easy-going and engaged, showering them with love and attention. Val's kind, gentle spirit was a beacon for her family and the friends she so enjoyed spending time with; she will be sorely missed.
Val is survived by her devoted husband, Dan of Elko New Market; children, Darin (Jessica) Hrabe of Savage, Corey (Megan) Hrabe of Hudson, WI, Breanne (Scott) Hoffman of New Prague; grandchildren, Jacqueline, Danielle, Aiden, and Nora; sisters, Lisa (Eugene) Palma of New Prague, Tamara (Terrence) Korbel of Waconia. She is preceded in death by her parents.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 at CreeksBend Golf Course from 2-6 PM. (26826 Langford Ave., New Prague, MN 56071)
