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Daryl Opstedal

Jul 5, 2011

Daryl Lloyd Opstedal, the son of Lloyd and Muriel (Tuff) Opstedal was born on November 11, 1942, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby.He died at the age of 68 years on Thursday, June 23, 2011, from complications of a rare neurological disease that had caused him disability for the past four years.

Daryl was raised in the rural Rolette County home of his parents and was baptized on April 25, 1943, at First Lutheran Church, Rugby, and confirmed on June 10, 1956, at Ox Creek Lutheran Church, rural Rolette.Daryl received his elementary education at Dewey School in Rolette County and graduated from Rugby High School in 1960.He completed his education, first at Bottineau School of Forestry, earning his Associate of Science degree in 1962, and then attended Minot Sate College for further studies. In November of 1961, he was united in marriage to Frances Hanson of Bottineau and to this union five children were born.The couple lived in North Dakota until 1966 when they moved to Seattle where Daryl took employment with Boeing Aircraft and later with Arco Oil Refinery.Daryl and Frances later dissolved their marriage and, in 1981, he moved his family back to rural Rolette, taking over the family farm following his Dad’s retirement.He married Dorothy Pettys July 29, 1983. This marriage lasted 27 years.

A loving father, grandfather, son, farmer, and a great friend to many, Daryl was a very talented and accomplished musician, able to play almost every instrument that was handed to him, including the piano, fiddle, guitar, trombone, and many more, but favored the accordion.When not farming, Daryl had a 4-piece band called “Daryl & The Pioneers” that entertained at the Haaland Estates, the Village Fair, the Dale & Martha Hawk Museum, the Rugby Eagles, the Norsk Hostfest, for many weddings, and when others would call. Over the years he was and has been a member of First Lutheran Church, Rugby, the Sons of Norway Odin Lodge, the Shriners and Masons, the Rugby Eagles, the Rugby School Board and served in many capacities and offices in those organizations.Following his diagnosis and the disability it left him, Daryl’s family took care of him in his own home until the progress of his disease forced him to move to the Haaland Estates, then to Southview Assisted Living Estates, and finally needing more care, to the Heart of America Long Term Care Center.

He is survived by his children, Darren (Barb) and Jeff (Vicki), all of Rolette, Brion of Jamestown, Dale of Minot, and Melissa (David “DJ”) Anderson of Rugby; 19 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his parents, Lloyd and Muriel of Rugby; a step-daughter, Tara (Mike) Gregg of Minot; aunts and uncles, Stella Lunde and Lois Tuff, both of Rugby, Vivian “Bing” Shuley of Pullman, Wash., Dennis (Lore) Tuff and Ralph Berg, all of Rugby; other relatives and many friends.He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 27, 2011, at First Lutheran Church, Rugby with burial in Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.

Pastor Mike Pretzer officiated. Music was provided by Lyla Roerick, Rita Langer, Arlene Johnson, and Marlys Johnson, vocalists, and Pam Anderson, pianist. Special music was provided by his grandson, James Opstedal.

Casketbearers were Pat McKinzie, Rodney Berg, Roger Berg, Vernon Opstedal, Howard Thompson, and Dennis Romfo.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.