Opal Claussen, 95, Luverne, died Monday, May 23, 2016, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
Following Opal’s request, no services will be held.
Opal Johanna Hoops was born Aug. 7, 1920, to Lewis and Margaret (Pieper) Hoops in Quimby, Iowa. She was raised and received her education in Quimby until 1928 when the family moved to Washta, Iowa, then Grand Meadow, Iowa, and Marcus, Iowa, until finally settling in Steen in 1936.
On Dec. 19, 1942, Opal married Maynard Claussen in Steen. Opal spent a great deal of her life as a military wife. Maynard’s job in the United States Air Force brought them to several homes across the world including Rapid City, South Dakota, Frankfurt, Germany, Biloxi, Mississippi, Bermuda, Canada, Las Vegas, Nevada, Sacramento, California, and Rock Rapids, Iowa. She held a variety of jobs and was also a homemaker. After Maynard’s death Opal remained in Las Vegas until she moved to Luverne to be closer to her daughter. On May 4, 2016, Opal entered the care of the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.
Opal enjoyed drawing, needle pulling, sewing, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and playing cards.
She is survived by her children, Janice (Denny) Larson of Las Vegas, Dana Claussen, Marcia (Dwight) Gangestad, Luverne, Lori Benjamin, Las Vegas, and Mark Claussen, Hilo, Hawaii; six grandchildren Jina (Frank) Fernandez, Nikki Kanelos, Kristina (Andy) Bates, Thanos “Tom” Kanelos, Erika (Jon) Menning, Kevin (Nicki) Hartz; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard; three sisters, Margaret Wirt, Sylvia Erickson, and Rose Bride; one brother, Ormen Hoops; a great-granddaughter, Angelica Fernandez; and a son-in-law, Randy Benjamin.
Arrangements were by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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