Warren R. Ophaug

Warren Raymond Ophaug, 70, Kloten, ND went to be with his Heavenly Father on March 14, 2015.

Warren (Pops) Ophaug was born at Community Hospital in McVille, ND on September 13, 1944 to the late Elmer and Gunhild (Skjolden) Ophaug. He married Lavina (Libby) Lien Volk on January 1, 1970 and was blessed with two daughters. They were later divorced. On February 14, 2001 he married his best friend Joan Harmon and gained an entire family of children and grandchildren. He graduated Kloten High School May 25, 1962, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Mayville State College on May 29, 1969. He served in the U. S. Navy earning a Certificate of Graduation with distinction from the Naval Hospital Corps School, San Diego, CA on July 20, 1972 and was Honorably Discharged on March 19, 1978. Upon returning home, he taught school in Rosholt, SD and Mandaree, ND. He farmed the family farm in Lee Township, Nelson County for several years. He was employed with Nelson County Hospital from March of 1993-March of 2013. He was a volunteer for the Nelson County Ambulance and transported patients for Nelson County Health System. He was the Treasurer for Lee Township for many years and a long standing member of AA. Warren loved the Lord and his life reflected that love. He was baptized December 8, 1944 at the family farm and grew into a lifelong relationship with his Heavenly Father. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Kloten, ND, serving as a Youth Leader and most recently a Deacon. He was a member of the Tri-County Ministry Team and held a Certificate in Lay Ministry from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.

Pops loved his family and friends. He never met a stranger, and always had a smile on his face and a kind word of encouragement. He loved to play and never missed an opportunity to laugh. He took his children and grandchildren to the local dams for boating and picnicking. He played croquet or golf on the course his grandson made in the pasture at the family farm. He loved thrift stores, mowing grass, and animals. Tinkering with bikes became his passion. Pops began collecting forgotten or abandoned bicycles, restoring them and putting them to use through what his family called “Pop’s Mission”. This mission grew to include homeless shelters and missions, trailer parks, and schools in and near Grand Forks, Fargo, Devils Lake and all parts in between.

Warren is survived by his children Lisa (Peter) Hunt, Glen Dale, MD, Tawnya (James) Sokolik, Colorado Springs, CO, Michael Reel, Chinook, MT, Roxanne (Terry) Townsend, Chinook, MT, Patricia Anderson, West Fargo, ND, Thomas Reel, Franklin, MN, and Joseph Harmon, Hamilton, MT; 18 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; brother Ronald (Cindy) Ophaug, Minto, ND; niece Kristen Ophaug; nephew Paul (Courtney) Ophaug; and 2 grand nephews and a grand niece.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Gunhild (Skjolden) Ophaug, his grandson Nathaniel Mark Boeddeker, and his nephew Aaron William Ophaug.

Memorial Services will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, rural Kloten, ND on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 3:30 pm with full military honors. A reception will follow.

Memorials may be directed to the Northlands Rescue Missions, 420 Division Avenue, Grand Forks, ND 58201.