Opal Claussen

Following Opal's requests, no services will be held.

OPAL JOHANNA HOOPS CLAUSSEN was born on August 7, 1920, in Quimby, Iowa to Lewis William and Margaret (Pieper) Hoops. She was raised and received her education in Quimby until 1928 when the family moved to Washta, Iowa, then Grand Meadow, Iowa and Marcus, Iowa until finally settling in Steen, Minnesota in 1936. Opal was united in marriage to Maynard Robert Claussen on December 19, 1942 in Steen, Minnesota. To this union, five children were born: Janice, Dana, Marcia, Lori and Mark. Opal spent a great deal of her life as a military wife as Maynard’s job in the United States Air Force brought them to several homes across the world, including: Rapid City, South Dakota, Frankfurt, Germany, Biloxi, Mississippi, Bermuda, Canada, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Sacramento, California where they retired. After their retirement, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. She held a variety of jobs as well as a homemaker. Opal remained in Las Vegas until her move to Luverne to be closer to her daughter. On May 4, 2016, Opal entered the care of the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage where she died peacefully on Monday, May 23, at the age of 95 years, nine months and 16 days.

Opal enjoyed drawing, needle pulling, sewing, cross word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and playing cards.

Opal in lovingly remembered by her children, Janice (Denny) Larson of Las Vegas, Dana Claussen, Marcia (Dwight) Gangestad of Luverne, Lori Benjamin of Las Vegas and Mark Claussen of Hilo, Hawaii; seven grandchildren: Amber (John Houghland) Benjamin, Jina (frank) Fernandez, Nikki Kanelos, Kristina (Andy) Bates, Thanos “Tom” Kanelos, Erika (Jon) Menning, Kevin (Nicki) Hartz; 11 great-grandchildren, Amanda Fernandez-Tayler, Anjelica Fernandez, Cardell Robinson, Carllie Robinson, Devin Bates, Branden Kanelos, Jana Read, Myika Menning, Trevor Hartz, Summer Hartz, Autumn Hartz; and four great-great-grandchildren, Jordyn Caruso, Arinna Tayler, Zackary Tayler and Kaylin Hartz. She is preceded in death by her husband, Maynard; three sisters, Margaret Wirt, Sylvia Erickson, and Rose Bride; one brother, Ormen Hoops; 1 great-granddaughter, Angelica Fernandez; son-in-law, Randy Benjamin.