Former Edina Mayor Jim Van Valkenburg Dies at 87

Former Edina Mayor Jim Van Valkenburg—who helped shape Edina's identity for more than 20 years on City Council—died this past Saturday, May 25. He was 87.

Van Valkenburg, born Nov. 29, 1925 in Minneapolis, is certainly not a stranger to Edina residents. His many years of service to the community, including seven years as mayor and 20 in total on the City Council, earned him the distinct honor of having Van Valkenburg Park named in his honor.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota's law school in 1952, after serving tours in Europe and Japan with the U.S. Army during World War II. Van Valkenburg practiced law in the private sector for more than 50 years, in addition to teaching business law at the University of Minnesota for three decades. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and parents, Horace, Julia and Helen. Van Valkenburg is survived by four children, James and Barb Van Valkenburg, Jane Van Valkenburg and David Psyhos, John Van Valkenburg and Tammy Gerten and Paul and Kathy Van Valkenburg.

Van Valkenburg was active with a number of local organizations, including the Edina Rotary, Metro Gyro, Edina Crime Prevention Fund and the Edina Art Center Board. He was also an integral part of the Edina Community Foundation, which he helped found. He was recognized as a WCCO Good Neighbor and was honored with the Mayor's Individual Service Commendation from the Mayor of Edina.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 1, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis. Visitation will precede the service by one hour, beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held at Lakewood Cemetery. 

Memorials are preferred to the Edina Community Foundation, through the Van Valkenburg Fund for Children, Edina Crime Prevention Fund, Edina Art Center and Camp Ajawah c/o Westminster Presbyterian Church.