Allan Opoien

Allan R Opoien, age 86, of Pekin, ND passed away on July 18, 2011 at the Nelson County Health Systems Hospital in McVille ND from cancer.

Allan Ross Opoien was born on April 13, 1925 in rural Pekin ND. He was the son of Alfred and Sena (Otteson) Opoien. He attended school in Pekin and graduated with the Class of 1943. He then joined the US Navy during WWII. After his military service he attended Mayville State College and earned his teaching degree. After teaching for a few years he attended NDSU in Fargo and received his Masters Degree in School Administration. He taught or was a school administrator for close to 40 years in Cando, Pekin, Fairdale, McClusky, Petersburg, Warwick, Lehr, and Tolna, ND, Merced, CA and Melstone, M. He retired in 1987 while serving as Superintendent at the Tolna Public School. He also enjoyed raising cattle on his small farm south of Pekin. He was very active in the Pekin community and served on city and church boards for many years. On February 18, 1950 he married Ruth Sigdahl. They later divorced and on August 4, 1985 he married Donna Froelich Tweed.

Allan is survived by his loving wife Donna; sons: Bruce Opoien, Richard (Yvonne) Opoien and Jay (Renae) Opoien; stepdaughter Korrey (Robby) Hansen, stepson Brandon (Michelle) Tweed; daughter-in-law Barbara Opoien; grandchildren Alisha (Rob) Jeffords, Chris Opoien, Mike Opoien, David Opoien, Sandra (Jason) Bildstein, Matt (Charlotte) Opoien, Sarah Opoien, Sadie Opoien, Mark Opoien; step grandson Hunter Tweed; 11 great grandchildren; sisters: Beulah Gaarder, Margaret Mannie, Marjorie Thoreson, Molly Mathiason and many nieces and nephews.

Allan was preceded in death by his parents; sons: Jon and Lee; sisters Amy Howell, Ardis Nilep, and Shirley Haas; brothers Wallace, Jim, Bernard, Alfred and John.

Funeral services for Allan will be held at the Pekin Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 22 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM in the Pekin Lutheran Church. Military honors provided by the Morken-Christianson American Legion Post #182, Pekin ND and the National Guard Military Funeral Honors team. Interment will be in the Pekin Cemetery.