Eldred Opsahl, age 89, of Twin Valley, MN, died Monday, September 21, 2020, at his home.
Eldred was born on March 17, 1931, the youngest of four children to Mabel (Evenson) and Lewis Opsahl. He was baptized and confirmed in local churches. Eldred attended school in Twin Valley and graduated with the class of 1949. His farming vocation began immediately following graduation alongside his father, Lewis.
On June 12, 1955, Eldred was married to Norma Herseth of Milton, ND, at Syre Lutheran Church. Their family included four children: Vicki, Jeff, Scott, and Ross. Family, friends, and community filled his days in all seasons.
Eldred was a lifelong resident of the Twin Valley community. He volunteered and served as a school board member, township officer, Twin Valley Coop Oil director, and Zion Lutheran Church trustee and deacon. He enjoyed watching a variety of sporting events and was a loyal local sports spectator. As he watched his kids and grandchildren teams play, his school colors would change from green and white (Tigers), to black and gold (Eagles), to blue and gold (Titans). But his farmer’s hat and heart never changed. As a young boy with a horse-driven single bottom plow to a GPS driven tractor as a retired grandpa, Eldred was a perennial farmer.
Eldred is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma; daughter Vicki (Kelly) Skaurud; sons, Jeff (Deb) Opsahl and Ross (Rhonda) Opsahl; nine grandchildren: Kate (Dan) Frazer, Krista (Ryan) Andring, Evan (Tracee) Skaurud, Tyler (Sarah Piche) Opsahl, Ethan (Lacey Steen Osahl, Kelby (Lacey Anderson) Opsahl, Rana Opsahl, Regan Opsahl, and Ryan Opsahl; six great-grandchildren: Madi, Hayden, Carter, Elijah, Jack, Charlotte, and Beckham; two nieces and three nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Mabel; sisters and brother-in-law: Mildred (Gehard) Sagen, Evelyn (Norman) Albertson, Lorraine (Jewitt) Jacobson; his son, Scott Opsahl; and his grandson, Kirk Skaurud.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, MN. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the cemetery.
All are welcome to attend and encouraged to bring a chair. The service will also be on FM radio for those who would like to remain in their vehicles. Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to attend.
Memorials preferred to Zion Lutheran Church in honor of Eldred.
