Opal Ovidia Wagner, 99

Opal Ovidia Wagner of International Falls, Minn., died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at Falls Good Samaritan Care Center. Opal was 99 years of age and the last one of 12 children born to Simon and Ingeborg Hafdahl.
Opal was born June 15, 1909, at Beltrami, Minn.
As a small child she and her parents along with four other siblings moved to Fairland, Minn., from Beltrami where her father had filed a timber claim. They moved to a log cabin Simon had built for the family. Six children were born there. The family then moved north to Loman and the last child was born there.
Opal attended school in Fairland and Loman.
She was employed by Pearson’s Bakery and Falls Public Library.
In 1930, Opal and Bill were united in marriage in Birchdale. They resided in Drayton, N.D., until 1943 when Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. The family moved to International Falls while Bill was in the service.
Opal adored being outside, spending hours in the sun. She was an avid blueberry picker in her younger years and she enjoyed watching birds at the care center. Opal was a very giving person, always eager to share what she had. If Opal could give you something, it made her happy.
Opal was a past member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Loman and a member of First Lutheran Church in International Falls.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Sr.; her parents, Simon and Ingeborg (Olson) Hafdahl; sisters, Marion Pearson, Sylvia Kohlhase, Gladys Palm, Ella Blinsmon, Thelma Sawchuk, Alyce Torseth and Lillian Sorahan; and her brothers, Roy, Walter, Rolland and Kenneth Hafdahl.
Opal is survived by her son, William “Huntz” (Marlene) Wagner of International Falls, Minn.; her daughter, Dona Biedel of Portland, Ore.; 10 grandchildren, Debbrah (Grady) Martin, Kathleen Gambino, Michael Gambino, Paul (Lorri) Gambino, Constance Gambino, Jayne (Brian) Willis, Patrick (Laura) Gambino, David Gambino, Carrie (Charles) Fraser and Rebecca (Damon) Lee; 18 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, at First Lutheran Church.
Interment will be in the Veterans of Foreign Wars section of Forest Hill Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Bethany Lutheran Church or to Falls Good Samaritan Center in her memory.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.