Opal Larsen

Funeral services for Opal Larsen, 84, of Dickinson will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2012 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dickinson, ND, with Pastor Cal Oraw officiating.


Visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND. Family will be present to receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Opal passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson.


Opal Lorraine Hanson was born November 19, 1927, in Hatton, ND, daughter of Helmer and Millie (Swanson) Hanson. She grew up on the family farm and attended school in Hatton, graduating from Hatton High School. After graduation, Opal attended Interstate Business College in Fargo. It was here she met Don Larsen whom she married in 1948 in Hatton. While traveling to Seattle, the couple made a stop in Dickinson and never left. Along with raising her family of four children, Opal operated Don’s Cafe and helped manage the West Plains and Oasis Motels. Opal found a way to balance career and her family long before it was fashionable. She was a woman of “Class” in all that she did. Opal enjoyed visiting with friends and made a special effort to stay in touch with all of her family and friends. She was a caregiver to the end, giving of her time and talents where ever she could. Opal was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church for more than six decades. She enjoyed cooking as well as traveling. She especially loved attending weddings and graduations. She was also active in Dorcus Society and enjoyed attending events at the Elks and St. Anthony’s club.


Opal will be greatly missed by her close friend and partner, Don Harris; and faithful dog, Fritzy; her two sons, Steve Larsen of Dickinson and Mark (Cynthia) Larsen of Princeton, NJ; two daughters, Barbara (Bruce) Perry of Houston, TX and Karen Molzahn of Bozeman, MT; twelve grandchildren, Don, Heather, Jay, Elizabeth, Robert, Katie, Martha, Christopher, Andrew, Jennifer, Mathew, and Mark; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Arthur Hanson of Hatton.


She was preceded in death by her parents, Helmer and Millie; her husband, Don Larsen; one brother, Howard Hanson; and one sister, Eldora Crane.


In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dickinson, ND.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: May 14, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: Monday; St. John Lutheran Church, Dickinson, ND