Maybelle Ellen Opland , 85, Minot, formerly of Des Lacs, died Friday, July 29, 2016, in a Minot hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Maybelle Ellen (Williams) Opland was born on February 10, 1931 in Des Lacs Township, ND, the daughter of Elmer and Nellie (Green) Williams and was the last surviving child of her generation. She was raised and educated in Des Lacs, ND, graduating from Des Lacs High School in 1949.

Maybelle married the love of her life, Ronald Opland, on June 16, 1949 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Des Lacs. They made their home on the family farm south of Des Lacs in Rolling Green Township, where they started farming small grains and raising livestock. Six children were the result of their union: Stanley, Lynnette, Teresa, Douglas, Kylene and Stewart.

In 1977, Maybelle began employment as a manager at Young America until they went out of business. She then continued working in retail at various stores including: Seiferts, Walters and Pred's Coats. Later on in life, she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital where she managed the gift shop.

In 1985, Maybelle and Ronald moved off the farm, and their sons Stan and Doug continued the farming operation. They built a house south of Des Lacs, where they resided until moving to Minot in 2006. At the end of June 2016 they moved to Somerset Court.

Maybelle was a member of Rose Valley Lutheran Church, where she served on the church council and was active in the church woman's group. She was also a member of the ELCA Synod Board and Western Prairie Conference Board, where she served as chairman. She was past president and currently a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary. She was a proud member of American Mothers, serving on the national board for six years and was also president of the North Dakota chapter. In 1992, she was awarded North Dakota American Mother of the Year.

Maybelle had the biggest heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. She spent her past time crocheting and made over 300 crocheted caps for cancer care and newborns, some of the newborn caps were sent as far away as Honduras. She especially enjoyed sewing, baking and cooking. Most mornings you could find Maybelle and Ronald at Schatz Truckstop, where most times they did more socializing than eating. She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Nana, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother and will be missed by all who shared in her life.

Those cherishing her memory include her loving husband of 67 years: Ronald Opland, Minot; children: Stan (Shelley) Opland, Lynnette (Todd) Deardurff, Teresa (Mike) Sundsbak, Doug (Debbie) Opland, all of Des Lacs, Kylene (Curt) Askvig, Minot and Stewart (Stacy) Opland, Williston; grandchildren: Amy (Dan) Lewis, Burlington, Adam Opland, Des Lacs, Jefferson Deardurff, Des Lacs, Lynsey (Dwayne) Bechel, Minot, Josh (Josie) Sundsbak, Des Lacs, Dani (Dan) Schilla, Makoti, Jessica (Brady) Carpenter, Ashley Opland, both of Minot, Chelsey Opland, Des Lacs, Cassandra and Kali Askvig, Minot and Gunnar and Kensil Opland, Williston; great-grandchildren: McKenna and Annika Deardurff, James, Devyn, Zaedyn, Lyzibella and Ayrianna Bechel, Madison , Peyton and Xander Sundsbak, Kinley and Jase Schilla and Hadley Carpenter; great-great grandchild: Ari Bechel along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Russell, Lyle, Artie and Clinton Williams; sisters: Francis Swartzel, Pearl Neve, Fern Kinyon and Betty Wherley; sisters-in-law: Alvina, Stella and Della Williams; brothers-in-law: Harvey Swartzel, Thovald Neve and Wren Kinyon.

Funeral Service : Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.
Prayer Service : Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in Rose Valley Lutheran Church, rural Des Lacs.
Interment : Rose Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Des Lacs.
Visitation : Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Rose Valley Cemetery Endowment Fund or Rose Valley Lutheran Church.

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