Harold Odin Opseth • 1924 - 2002

Harold Odin Opseth, 87, 21 1st Ave. SE #32, Minot, formerly of the Bowbells area, died Monday, July 15, 2002, in the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

Harold was born April 8, 1915 at Northgate, ND, the son of Gunnar and Helga Opseth. They moved to the Coteau area in 1927. Harold served in the Civilian Conservation Corps following high school, and at one time played trumpet in a band and sang bass in a quartet.

Harold married Doris Mae Kirkelie September 16, 1939, in Bowbells, ND. They lived in Portland, Oregon until returning to farm in Ward Township, Burke County, west of Coteau, ND in 1940. He worked on the railroad in Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota for a couple of years, and operated a garage in Coteau from 1945 to 1960.

Harold drove school bus for 10 years. He retired from farming in 1979, and moved to Minot in 1988. The last three years he had been a resident of the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Coteau and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bowbells. He was also a member of the Masonic, the Eagles Aerie, the Elks and the Moose Lodges. He was a happy-go-lucky guy. His sense of humor and solid common sense guided him through even the leanest of years. He was a hard worker, a faithful and devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather and friend. Some of his favorite activities included fishing, playing pinochle, playing pool and bowling.

Those fortunate enough to have shared in his life include: His devoted wife of 62 years, Doris Mae; sons, Russell (Karen) Opseth, Woodbine, MD, and Larry Opseth, Richfield, MN; daughter, Gloria (Doug) Ryberg, Edwardsville, IL; granddaughters, Patricia (Kevin) Petrusha, Ortonville, MI, Susan (Julian) Galan, Crossville, TN, Kristina (Tony) Ersfeld, Lakeville, MN, Lisa (Mensur) Muftic, Bismarck, ND, and Jennifer Opseth, Woodbine, MD; grandsons, Jason Ryberg, Excelsior, MN, and Brandon Opseth, Woodbine, MD; great-granddaughters, Haley Broske, Lakeville, MN, Bailey and Brooke Galan, Crossville, TN, and Safia Muftic, Bismarck; great-grandson, Joshua Petrusha, Ortonville, MI; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Waiting to welcome him on the other side are his parents, his dear sister, Ingrid Nelson, and great-granddaughter, Skylar Ersfeld.

Funeral: Thursday, July 18, 2002, at 11:00 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND

Officiant: Rev. Adine Harsch

Music: Rev. Adine Harsch, soloist
"His Name Is Wonderful," "Heavenly Father, I Appreciate You,"
"In The Name Of The Lord," "Learning to Lean," "God Is So Good"
"How Great Thou Art," "Just As I Am," and "We're Marching To Zion"
Mark Dimond, organist

Active Bearers: Doug Ryberg, son-in-law, Jason Ryberg, grandson, Mensur Muftic, grandson-in-law, Richard Johnson, nephew, Paul Nelson, nephew, David Nelson, nephew

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