LaVal "Val" Bernice Todd's Obituary
Reed City - LaVal "Val" Bernice Todd, 80, of Barton Township, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Reed City Fields Assisted Living.
She was born August 24, 1942, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Clifford and Dorothy (Suckow) Sweet, and graduated from Reed City High School in 1960. On August 6 of that same year, Val married Gilbert "Bud" Todd in Reed City.
The couple lived in Grand Rapids for 5 years, then returned to the area and raised their family on their farm west of Paris. During the 1980's, Val worked for Sweet Tile and Carpet with her brother Gary and his wife Linda, and later she and Bud owned and operated the Hawkins General Store for 10 years. They also restored the family cottages in the UP, and enjoyed hunting and travelling throughout the country.
Val was a member of the Green Township Election Board, and enjoyed socializing at many local events. She loved her garden and canning the results of her labor, and was an avid seamstress and enjoyed knitting.
Bud preceded her in death on October 6, 2021. Val is survived by their children, Teri (Terry) Hays of Reed City, Lauri (Tom) Knoop of Reed City, and Jeff (Renee) Todd of Ortonville; seven grandchildren, Todd (Mandy) Hays, Garrett (Loretta) Hays, Trenton (Amanda) Hays, Kyle (Megan) Knoop, Lacey Knoop, Summer (Michael) Goessman, and Skylar Todd; nine greatgrandchildren; her brother Loren (Debra) Sweet of Reed City; sisters-in-law Linda Sweet and Della Hanson; brother-in-law Alvin (Jeannette) Todd; step brother-in-law Buck (Jackie) Harrison; step-sister-in-law Sis (Marty) Martin; and many nieces and nephews. Val was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gary Sweet, and her niece Niki Sweet.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Rev. Daniel Hofmann officiating. Val will be laid to rest next to Bud in the Park Hill Cemetery in Green Township. Her family will greet friends at the funeral home beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Saturday. Memorial contributions in her name may be made for Hospice of Michigan, or Reed City Fields Assisted Living. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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