Opal Petersen

Opal Nordlund (Bartholomew) Petersen

Opal passed away August 10, 2021. Born Decoration Day, May 30, 1924 to parents, Emanuel L. and Martha Rude Nordlund, who preceded her in death as was her brother Emanuel V. Nordlund and sister Dorothy (Kantor) Buchanan.  Also preceded in death by husbands, John A. Bartholomew and Myrl Petersen. Survived by sister, Edie O'Malley; daughter, Nancy (Linehan) Hansen, sons, Daniel Bartholomew, and Jim (Julie) Bartholomew. step-daughters, Jeri Rae Doughty, Lynn Goodwater, Kris Petersen, and Wendy (Scott) Smith; eight grandchildren, Jimmy (Lina Maria) Linehan, Heather Holderness, Amy Bartholomew, Larissa (Chris) Sipprell, Kelsey (Lee) Bast, John (Shanta) and Mark Bartholomew, and Katie (Jeff) Jackson; step-grandchildren, Jessica Jordan, Chris and Amanda Rosemark, and Amanda and Ben Myrick, Chris Chamberlain; 15 great-grandchildren, Lauren (Josh) Vogtner, Ryan, Cameron, and Landon Linehan; Elizabeth (Sebastian) Hand and Taylor Holderness; Kamron and Zoey Rose Listrud, Adam and Trevor Sipprell, and Lexi and Andy Bast, Ayla Brown, Hazel Sue and James Jackson; step great-grandchildren, Travis Ohnstad, Lydia and Gabe Myrick, Jaxon Rosemark, Harrison Chamberlain, and Laura Eskenazi; four great-great-grandchildren, Ariah, Essence, Oliver, and Scarlett Hand.  Also survived by nieces and nephews, Beth (Peter) Choukalas, Donna Hutton, David (Michele) Hutton, Kathy Hart, Scott (Kathie) Nordlund, Kent (Terry) Nordlund, and Kurt Nordlund; and many very special friends.

Opal was baptized at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Rice Lake, WI and confirmed at Grace Lutheran in S.E. Minneapolis. Graduate of Columbia Heights High School and Minneapolis Business College (with a lifetime scholarship,) in 1941. Graduated Century College, 2-year degree, and also 8 credits at Metropolitan State University. Followed an active career in Office Management for Union Offices, belonging to OPEU#16 and #12 and Working Opportunities for Women. Officially retired three times (with a few weeks in between.) Last retirement was June 30, 2012. Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary and Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary and American Legion. District 7 VFWA President. Secretary Department VFWA. State Legislative Chairman five years, with National Awards each time. Grand President MOCA. Secretary and Chief-of-Staff for the Supreme MOCA. Served as Secretary/Treasurer for National Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of World War I for 10 years. Served as National President also. Volunteered at Hazelden Foundation and Half-Way House in Hastings; International Organization of Good Templars. Forest Lake Senior Center Manager ten years. Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans Secretary for five years. Community Education Advisory Council, I.S.D. #831. Seniors Advisory Council, I.S.D. #831. When her children were young, Opal was Camp Fire Leader, Webelo Leader, and Farm Team Little League Manager. She played organized softball until she broke her leg in the State Tournament when she was 56. She served 3,500 volunteer hospital hours with MOCA. Hastings Veterans Home Volunteer for 40 years Opal was active in DFL politics from 1948, having served every office at the County Level, Precinct Level, Legislative and Senate Districts, served as 1st Congressional District Chairwoman. State DFL Central Committee member. Also served as 6th Congressional District Secretary and President.   Was elected Presidential Elector from the 6th District for the Clinton/Gore inaugural. Opal was an active community/political volunteer. Served on the Original Washington County Court House Foundation Board and actively pursued the preservation of this Historic Site. She was named Washington County Volunteer of the Year and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Ageless Hero of 1999. Was Volunteer Coordinator for S.D. 831 in Forest Lake for the "Baby Rocker" program for 10 years. Volunteer Coordinator for Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia. She won too many State and National Awards for the VFW Auxiliary and the MOCA to list. Was named Outstanding President as Grand President of the MOCA. She was the first woman to run for the State Legislature from Washington County. Was appointed by Governor Wendell Anderson to a 4-year term on the Metropolitan Council and re-appointed for a second term by Governor Rudy Perpich. She was a Sunday School Teacher at Ascension Lutheran and Westwood Lutheran in St. Louis Park, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Elim Lutheran in Scandia, and Shepherd of the Valley, Afton, MN, where she serves on the Communion Committee and Thursday Night Home Group Bible Study. National Recognitions: "Who's Who in American Politics," Fourth Edition 1973-1974, Pages 832-833. "Who's Who in American Politics," Fifth Edition 1975-1976, Pages 731-732. "The World Who's Who of Women," Third Edition 1976, Page 659. "International Who's Who in Community Service" 1976- 1977, Page 481. "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," Volume One 1978, Page 641. "National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals," 2000-2001 Edition, Page 828. "Minnesota Legislative Manual 1975-1976", (Member Metropolitan Council, District 14.) "Minnesota Legislative Manual '977-1978," (Member Metropolitan Council, District 14.) Featured in The National Library of Poetry "A Break in the Clouds,' Published her Poem in 1993 - 'SERVING HIS COUNTRY.'

Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday August 20, 2021 with VFWA and MOCA Rituals at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater. The funeral service will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Afton, MN on Saturday August 21, 2021, starting at 10:30 am with visitation starting at 9:30 am.  The service will also be broadcast live through Shepherd of the Valley’s on-line service, which is found at sov.online.church – please wait for the service which will begin at 10:30 am.   The Service will show up on the web site when it begins, so don’t be concerned if it is not listed.  Flowers are appreciated but if you chose, memorials are preferred to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Afton or the Hastings Veteran’s Home – Recreation Department.