Geraldine Opseth, age 78, of Mobridge, SD, died on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held on... Geraldine Opseth

geraldine opsethGeraldine Opseth, age 78, of Mobridge, SD, died on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandburg with Rev. Elmer Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the Tabor Lutheran Cemetery.

Honorary bearers will be Paul Houck, Kelly Bucholz, Jordan Nehls, John Murray, Brandon Peterson, and Jackson Cornett.

Geraldine Rose Opseth was born on July 30, 1937, at home in Strandburg, SD, to Julius and Agnes (Holsten) Johnson. She was the youngest of ten children that included five boys and five girls. Geraldine spent the majority of her childhood in Strandburg except for the few years when the Johnson family lived in Aberdeen. She graduated from Strandburg High School with the class of 1955 and then attended one semester of nursing school. Following her schooling, Geraldine worked for Milbank Mutual.

On June 1, 1957, Geraldine was united in marriage with John M. Opseth in Strandburg. Geraldine continued to work at Milbank Mutual until their first child was born. In 1960 they moved to Mobridge with a one year old and a new baby. John began working for a lumber company and soon after started his own business, Opseth Woodworks. Geraldine helped at the business and became skilled in wood finishing.

In 1981, after her three children were grown, she began her teaching career at Freeman Davis School as a paraprofessional for 34 years. Although Geraldine retired in 2003, she couldn’t seem to stay away and went back to work full-time. The last two years she substitute taught until she finally retired in 2015.

Geraldine refinished many pieces of furniture, from elaborate gun cabinets to small tables. She found great joy in turning an old painted “piece of junk” into a beautiful piece of furniture. She and John greatly enjoyed sitting on their porch swing together with a cup of coffee when the work was done. Geraldine was able to sew anything, often making her children’s clothes, curtains, and drapes. She could fix or mend anything but didn’t have the time for quilts! Geraldine enjoyed spending time with her coffee friends, watching Wheel of Fortune, and doing crossword puzzles. Most important to her was family and she cherished the time spent with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish Geraldine’s memory is her husband of 58 years, John Opseth of Mobridge, SD; children: Dianne (Paul) Houck of Gettysburg, SD; John (Brenda) Opseth of Gillette, WY; Janeen (Kelly) Bucholz of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Jennifer Cornett of Sioux Falls, SD; Kari (Jordan) Nehls of Lincoln, ND; Kelsey (John) Murray of Rapid City, SD; Ashley (Brandon) Peterson of Rapid City, SD; great-grandchildren: Jackson and Ella Cornett, Laila and Brittyn Nehls, and Livia Murray; brother, Wilber Johnson; sisters, Eudora Backman and Loretta Orman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Agnes Johnson; brothers, Glenn, Leslie, Teddy, and Harvey Johnson; and sisters, June Kos and Lillie Bergman.

Mundwiler Funeral Home

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