Funeral Service for Allen Leroy Opsal, 75 of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Wednesday January 9, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Steve Eneboe. His pallbearers will be: Kevin Nelson, Mark Nelson, Roger Nelson, Truman Nelson, Randy (Beezer) Deutsch, and Lawrence (Fuzz) Hellwig. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren: Dustin Opsal, Brett Opsal, Jerome Opsal, Justin Opsal, Derek Nieland and Melissa Nieland, great grandkids Cash Opsal, Kaylee Opsal and all his nieces, nephews, family and friends. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery next to Patty. Military Rites will be conducted by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342. Visitation will be held at the Cahill Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM and Wednesday from 9:00 to noon.
Allen was born on August 28, 1937 at Sisseton, SD to Edward Sr. & Myrtle (Peterson) Opsal. His siblings were: Annette, Edward Jr., Paul, Mary Lou, Daniel, David. He went to Sisseton School and joined the US Navy and served his country honorably 1955-1958 as Korean War Era Veteran. He received a Good Conduct Medal during this time. He traveled the world and was very proud of his experiences. He was united in marriage to Patricia (Nelson) and to this union 3 children were born. Troy, Brent and Treva. Allen worked for Old Home Bread Company, now Metz Baking Company retiring after 26 years. He then relocated to Apple Valley, California after his first grandchild Dustin was born. He worked with Troy until they returned to Sisseton, where he continued to work with his son for a total of 15 years. Allen was an avid gardener, flower gardening was his specialty; if you were lucky to have gotten a cutting or two from him you were blessed. He kept an immaculate yard and had a green thumb. He also loved playing cribbage; golfing and he loved having a beer to two with his buddies. He loved to bet against the Viking football team every Sunday with his grandson Derek. He loved watching sports on TV. He loved all animals and always had a loyal and trusting pet by his side. He loved being a father, grandfather and was so happy the day he found out he'd be blessed to be a great grandfather. He was twice blessed with 2 great grandchildren. He also showed his love for his kids by donating to the Children's Fund on a monthly basis. One of the highlights of his life as an avid lifelong George Jones fan was when his son Troy took him to a George Jones concert for his 65th birthday and George Jones announced his name and sang him a personal "Happy Birthday" song. He was so thrilled about that. The last 8 years of Allen's life he was unable to speak and communicated by notes and was well known to everybody for his "thumbs up" sign. His greatest joy was being a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He remembered every one of his kids, their spouses, grandkids, and great grandkids birthdays often sending the cards ahead by a few days. He had a big kind heart and sent out cards for every occasion to many. He loved his sisters and brothers and their spouses and all their children. He always enjoyed their visits. Allen Leroy Opsal, 75 years old of Sisseton, South Dakota passed away peacefully on January 5, 2013 at Tekakwitha Nursing Home listening to his favorite singer George Jones with his son Troy holding his hand.

Allen is survived by his children: Troy (Geri) Opsal, Peever, SD; Brent (Rose) Opsal, Rapid City and Treva (Joel) Nieland, Rapid City, SD. His 6 grandchildren: Dustin Opsal of Sisseton, Brett, Jerome and Justin Opsal all of Rapid City, SD, Melissa and Derek Nieland of Rapid City, SD, his 2 great-grandchildren; Cashius Troy Allen Opsal and Kaylee Raine Opsal of Sisseton. His brothers: Edward (Shirley) Opsal of Temple City, CA and Danny (Linda) Opsal, Buffalo, Minnesota and Ron Root, brother-in-law , Buffalo, MN and many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by: Patty Opsal, parents Edward & Myrtle Opsal; grandparents Iver & Martha Opsal, and siblings Annette Egbert, Paul Opsal, Mary Lou Root and David Opsal.