Opal Haagenson

Opal Haagenson, age 89, from McIntosh, MN passed away on Wednesday, May 15th at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 21st at 11:00 AM at Mount Carmel Free Lutheran Church in McIntosh with Rev. Dale Mellgren officiating. Family will greet friends for one hour before the memorial service at the church, and the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home serving McIntosh is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.carlinhoialmen.com. Opal Geneve Dery was born on July 19, 1923, at Cudworth, Saskatchewan, Canada, and lived with her parents in North Battlefield, Saskatchewan as a young girl. At the age of 15, they moved back to the states, to Gonvick, Minnesota. At age 17, July 23, 1940 she married the love of her life, Arnold Haagenson. She went to work at Road Camp with Haagenson and Tranby Construction Company as one of the camp cooks, and that is where she learned some of her awesome cooking skills. Anyone knowing Opal, knows that you couldn't be long in the house without something to eat!! Opal and Arnold lived in McIntosh, Minnesota and were married for 54 years. She said her best years were "Up at the Farm~the High Country", with her family. Her time working in her 'huge' garden was well spent. She loved sharing the bountiful harvest with family, friends and neighbors, and she loved her Pomeranian Peaches; where ever she went in the house, Peaches was right behind her. She was president of the park board during the 70's and tended the flower beds in the community for many years. Ask her what her favorite flower was and she would always say, "ALL of them!" She also taught Macrame classes in the 70's, Oh what fun those girls had, she also enjoyed her Toll Painting years, painting everything she could find. She also loved sewing clothes for herself and her family. Opal loved the outdoors and camping, even just sitting in her RV gave her much joy, especially in her later years, and she never refused a game of cards, thank you Pat and Carol. All of her many friends were very important to her. Her daughter, DeAnna moved back home in 2002 to help Opal remain in her home, and they enjoyed gardening and canning together. She loved teaching how to be a good homemaker. Opal always loved to go with DeAnna to Bemidji to meet son, Don and grab a bite to eat, then shopping at Walmart! This time  to her was very special, it was for her kids as well.... as it is all about family. The times all her children and grandchildren were together, to her; was the Best of Life! She wanted to have bedside prayers for herself and her loved ones, especially the last few years of her life that she shared with her daughter, and her favorite scriptures were Psalm 91 and Psalm 21. They say "Homemaker" is an outdated word, but that is exactly what Opal Haagenson was. She loved sowing love and togetherness in the hearts of her loved ones, laughing and telling stories... she will be deeply missed.  On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Opal passed away at Essentia Hospital in Fargo at the age of 89 years. She is survived by her son, Don (Debbie) Haagenson of Park Rapids, MN; her daughter, DeAnna Haagenson of McIntosh; granddaughter, Kristen Harrison; grandson, Beau Haagenson; step grandson, Jason VanValkenburg; and great grandchildren, Kellen  of Kristen and Jared Harrison and William and Benjamin of Jason and Natalie VanValkenburg. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert "Albear" Dery; her mother, Regnil Rudie; step father, Norman Rudie; husband, Arnold Haagenson; and infant sister, Ivonne Gwendlyn Dery.