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Eleanor E. Overvold • 1917- 2011 Eleanor E. Opedahl was born May 26, 1917, as a twin on the family farm located in Dry Fork Township of Williams County, near Tioga, ND. She was the daughter of Lars and Laura (Dohli) Opedahl. There she spent her childhood years and graduated from Tioga High School. Following graduation, she attended Minot Teacher’s College and received her Standard Teaching Certificate in 1938. She taught school in the Anamoose district for 19 years. Eleanor was united in marriage to Sylvester Schmeets on August 10, 1941, in Tioga, ND. The couple moved to Velva in 1957. To this union, a son, Mark, was born in 1961 and is now living in Manassas, Virginia. Sylvester passed away in 1979. Eleanor taught in the Velva Public School system 25 years. In 1968, she decided to further her teaching degree by fulfilling a lifelong dream of earning her Master’s Degree majoring in psychology in 1972 at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. She again returned to her teaching career in the Velva community. Eleanor retired in 1984 after 44 years of teaching. In December of 1983, she married Olav Overvold in Velva and they continued to live there. Olav retired from farming in 1988. Mrs. Overvold was an active member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church, where she served on the Altar Guild, was a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, and served as the Oak Valley Lutheran Church Council Secretary for several years. She was also an active member of the North Dakota Education Association, National Education Association, the GFWC Velva Woman’s Club, and the Gideons. Olav and Eleanor attended many of the Gideons International Conventions in various cities of the USA. Eleanor is survived by her husband, Olav Overvold, Velva; son Mark and daughter-in-law, Karen Schmeets, Manassas, VA; sister, Marion Raad, Tioga, ND; sister-in-law, Olga Knutson, Williston; nieces, Sharon Cruse and Judy (Jim) Curtis; nephews, Collin (Diane) Alspach, Luther Alspach, Jerry Hagen, and Leon Raad; stepsons, Phil (Vicki) Overvold, Velva, and David Overvold, Devils Lake, ND; stepdaughters, Helen (Palmer) Lindlauf, Benedict, ND, Solveig (Bruce) Bentson, Inver Grove Heights, MN, Ardis (Randy) Libak, Snohomish, WA, and Elizabeth (Jim) Berg, Starkweather, ND; and thirty step-grandchildren also survive. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; twin sister, Emily Opedahl; sisters, Helene (Carl) Hagen and Lillian (Raymond) Alspach; and brothers, Sivert and Olaf; brothers-in-law, LeRoy Raad. Funeral: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. Funeral Service: Officiant: Pastor Tim Johnson Music: Congregational Hymns: “Children of the Heavenly Father” & “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Honorary Bearers: All of Eleanor’s friends Active Bearers: Gene Spichke, Leon Raad, Phil Overvold, Ivan Canevello, Palmer Lindlauf, Jim Berg Our family would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your many acts of kindness during this difficult time. Your love and friendship will always be remembered and is greatly appreciated.
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Eleanor E. Overvold, 93, Velva, died Monday, May 16, 2011, at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.