Roland Opsahl

Roland C. Opsahl, venerated father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 in Fishers, Indiana. He was 92.

Roland proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for over 30 years. He began his career during WW II, where he was an assistant engineer aboard a B-24 bomber. After successfully completing 20 missions over enemy territory, his plane was shot down and he was held prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 1 from March 1944 until liberation.

During his lengthy military career, Roland and his beloved wife Dorothy traveled and lived all over the world, settling in Mesa, AZ. Roland enjoyed a rewarding second career at Bechtel where he was responsible for assuring quality control of the materials used to build the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Throughout both of his careers, Roland was consistently recognized for his dedication and commitment, winning numerous awards and accolades.

He was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War East Valley Chapter. Always interested and interesting, Roland never knew a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with others, particularly the many summers spent visiting with friends and family from the Lakota area. He and Dorothy moved to Indiana in 2010 to be closer to their son Allen, his children, and grandchild. In more recent years, he took great pleasure in spending happy hours with his son, joining in weekly family breakfasts and taking his great granddaughter Sara for rides on his scooter.

Roland is survived by his son, Allen Opsahl & his wife, Chris; granddaughters, Kim Opsahl (partner Cindy Marin) and Katie (Opsahl) Duckett & her husband, Tony; and great granddaughter Sara Duckett.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (Schuh) Opsahl and their much cherished twin daughters Lynn and Linda.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church of Lakota, ND on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to the Lakota Cemetery.