1921
Lawrence
2009
Lawrence Opsahl
April 12, 1921 — February 5, 2009
Dr. Lawrence J. Opsahl, age 87, of Willmar, died Thursday afternoon, February 5, at Rice Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. on Monday, Feb. 9, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
Lawrence was born on April 12, 1921, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Alfred S. and Pauline E. (Trunk) Opsahl. He grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from Minneapolis West High School in 1938 and then attended St. Olaf College. Lawrence enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during W. W. II as a hospital corpsman. Following his discharge, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota Medical School and graduated in 1949. On June 26, 1948, Lawrence was united in marriage to Margaret J. Kinter. In 1951, they moved to Willmar where Lawrence purchased a general medical practice from Dr. R.E. Anderson and practiced until retirement in 1983. In 1962, he founded the Willmar Philharmonic Orchestra which he directed until 1969. In 1964, he cofounded the Barn Theater and served as an active board member until 1976. From 1968 to 1983, he served as the Kandiyohi County Medical Coroner. Lawrence was active with the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and served as its treasurer from 1968 to 1979. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and past member of Vinje Lutheran Church where he was active in the church choir and adult Sunday School. Lawrence had a passion for music, arts and theater. He was known by many as an intense armchair philosopher and theologist.
He is survived by three sons, David Opsahl (special friend, Deb Willis) of Willmar, John (Diane) Opsahl of Edina and Mark (Linda) Opsahl of Elk River; three daughters, Paula (Gary) Crowther of Ashville, NC., Ruth Aungst (Mark Schwankl) of Sartell and Ann Dowdell of Ashville, NC.; one daughter-in-law, Sheila Opsahl of Raymond; 14 grandchildren and one great grandson. Also surviving is one brother, Paul Opsahl of Naperville, IL and two sisters, Irma (Vern) Gager of Minnetonka and Elsie Hawes of Denver, CO., besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret in 2002; son, Jim in 1999;sons-in-law, Matthew Aungst and Steven Dowdell and brothers, Donald and Allan Opsahl.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. on Monday, Feb. 9, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
Lawrence was born on April 12, 1921, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Alfred S. and Pauline E. (Trunk) Opsahl. He grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from Minneapolis West High School in 1938 and then attended St. Olaf College. Lawrence enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during W. W. II as a hospital corpsman. Following his discharge, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota Medical School and graduated in 1949. On June 26, 1948, Lawrence was united in marriage to Margaret J. Kinter. In 1951, they moved to Willmar where Lawrence purchased a general medical practice from Dr. R.E. Anderson and practiced until retirement in 1983. In 1962, he founded the Willmar Philharmonic Orchestra which he directed until 1969. In 1964, he cofounded the Barn Theater and served as an active board member until 1976. From 1968 to 1983, he served as the Kandiyohi County Medical Coroner. Lawrence was active with the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and served as its treasurer from 1968 to 1979. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and past member of Vinje Lutheran Church where he was active in the church choir and adult Sunday School. Lawrence had a passion for music, arts and theater. He was known by many as an intense armchair philosopher and theologist.
He is survived by three sons, David Opsahl (special friend, Deb Willis) of Willmar, John (Diane) Opsahl of Edina and Mark (Linda) Opsahl of Elk River; three daughters, Paula (Gary) Crowther of Ashville, NC., Ruth Aungst (Mark Schwankl) of Sartell and Ann Dowdell of Ashville, NC.; one daughter-in-law, Sheila Opsahl of Raymond; 14 grandchildren and one great grandson. Also surviving is one brother, Paul Opsahl of Naperville, IL and two sisters, Irma (Vern) Gager of Minnetonka and Elsie Hawes of Denver, CO., besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret in 2002; son, Jim in 1999;sons-in-law, Matthew Aungst and Steven Dowdell and brothers, Donald and Allan Opsahl.
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