Valoris (Gaard) Nuessmeier

Valoris “Val” (Gaard) Nuessmeier, age 90, passed away on September 4, 2025. Born on January 30, 1935, at her grandparents’ farm in Elmore, MN, she was the daughter of Conrad and Seraphine (Larson) Gaard.

Valoris grew up on a farm with her three younger brothers in Cleveland, MN, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1953. She was a member of 4H, the tumbling team, the school newspaper, was involved in theater, and was crowned the first Jr Miss 4H.

Valoris married the love of her life, Harold Nuessmeier, on August 1,1953 at German Lake Lutheran Church in LeSueur County. They shared 68 years of marriage before Harold's passing in 2022. Following their wedding, Valoris and Harold resided at Hill Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, Utah. While in Utah they made many friends and welcomed their first child, Allen. 

After returning to Minnesota, Valoris, Harold, and Allen lived for a time in St. Peter, with Seraphine and Conrad. After Harold completed his schooling they moved to Austin, where they lived for over 20 years. Valoris was a homemaker, was active with the Newcomers Club, card clubs, bowling leagues, organized craft sales, was an avid golfer, enjoyed ballroom dancing with Harold and was a talented seamstress. 

Valoris and Harold added to their family while living in Austin with the birth of their daughters, Danita and Jenny. Valoris, along with Harold, instilled the love of family in their children, with traditions that included annual vacations to Walker, MN/Leech Lake, and holidays full of laughter and love.

Valoris and Harold moved to Rochester, in 1985, and to Waseca, in 1988. While in Waseca, Valoris continued to work as a seamstress, was co-founder of the 2nd Childhood Doll Club, was an active member of the Red Hat Club, was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, and continued to sell her crafts and creations at a variety of venues. Valoris and Harold remained active with their lifelong friends, enjoying weekend outings and vacationing in the Southern US.

Valoris was a caring, strong, and beautiful woman. During the last several years of her life, she was known as a rock star by her family as she fought through significant medical conditions, coped with the loss of several close family members and through it all she remained strong.

Valoris was a loving wife, mother, proud grandmother of nine and great grandmother of seven. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. 

Thank you to the medical staff at the Waseca Hospital, Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center, and St. Croix Hospice for the care and compassion you gave Valoris. Thank you to Marlys Monahan, Kari Haslip, Nate Hofmeister, Corey Neid and Pastors Jillene and Paige for being part of her village. She loved you all. 

Valoris is survived by her daughter, Jenny (Doug) Sandbeck of Waseca; daughter-in-law, Paula Nuessmeier of Blue Earth; grandchildren, Joshua (Kimberly) Nuessmeier, Jonathan (Skye) Nuessmeier, Amber(Aaron) Biessel, Brianna(Kyle) Johnson, Cristina (Lucas) Nienow, Derek (Anje) Sandbeck, Ryan (Annalee) Sandbeck, Jayme Sandbeck; great grandchildren, Charlee, Everly, Kane, Letty, Jordan, Jethro, and Hannah; brother, Virgil Gaard; sister-in-law, Barb Gaard and many other relatives. 

Valoris was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; son, Allen; daughter and son-in-law, Danita and Steve Elton; grandson, Aaron Nuessmeier; brothers, James Gaard, Jerry Gaard and several brothers and sister- in-laws.

Services will be held at 11am on Monday, September 29, at Woodland Hills Chapel, Mankato, MN. Visitation will begin at 10am and continue until the time of the service.

Those who knew Valoris, know that her favorite color was purple. She was lovingly nicknamed Lavender Val by the medical staff at the Waseca Hospital. Those who attend Valoris's service are encouraged to wear purple in her honor.