Opal A.-Groff-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Nelson Funeral Home - Maddock

Opal A. Groff

Maddock, North Dakota

Feb 25, 1924 – Jul 13, 2021 (Age 97)

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BORN
February 25, 1924
DIED
July 13, 2021
AGE
97
LOCATION
Maddock, North Dakota

Obituary

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Nelson Funeral Home - Maddock Obituary

Opal A. Groff, 97, of Leeds, ND, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND. A Private Family Burial will be held Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in rural Harlow, ND. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery: 4915 50th Avenue NE Maddock, ND 58348.


Opal A. Bratvold Groff was born February 25, 1924 at Baker, North Dakota. Her parents were Emil and Agnes Engen Bratvold. They lived at Baker until 1928, then moved to Harlow where Emil had bought a grocery general merchandise store, later known as the Harlow Cash Store. Opal attended ten years of elementary and high school at Harlow and 2 ½ weeks at Central High School in Devils Lake, North Dakota. The family was active in Sunday school and Our Savior’s Lutheran church in Harlow. Opal began teaching beginners Sunday school class and was part time Sunday school pianist. She taught youth Farmers Union class for fifteen years. Opal and Walter O Groff were married November 24, 1940 at the Fillmore, North Dakota Lutheran church. They raised a family of seven children. Opal and Walter lived in Harlow from 1942 to 1944. Walter enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. Opal and Karen traveled with Walt to several states while he was in training. After his father’s death in 1944, Opal and Walter moved to the Ole Groff farm north of Harlow. There were no built-up roads or electricity on the farm. They lived in Harlow from 1948 to 1955.


In 1951 they attended Our Savior’s Lutheran church in Harlow and the Assembly of God church in Devils Lake, North Dakota for two years. Then they attended the Assembly of God church in Cando, North Dakota and the Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Brinsmade, North Dakota. Opal and Walter helped establish the Revival Center in Leeds, North Dakota and were active in weekly home bible study and prayer meetings. Opal attended Restoration Ministries church in Rugby, North Dakota 1999 to 2016. Opal was employed as an In-Home Care Specialist for Benson County Social Services from 1976 to 2008 and also did Parent Aid and Easter Seal Respite Care. Her first job was working as a babysitter earning 15 cents for all night, she worked in her parent’s grocery store where she filled shelves, carried coal and ashes and water, tested cream, candled eggs and did general clerking. When her husband joined the Army Airforce in 1942 Opal traveled with him sometimes and worked at various jobs. In 1943 she was employed at a clothing factory in Bellville, Illinois sewing the flies for men’s pants and she took in ironing for two ladies at Bellville. Opal picked potatoes with her dad and sister Clarice at Northwood, North Dakota. They were paid 3 cents for each 100# of potatoes they picked. Her last job was Assistant Correspondent with her daughter Sheri Groff Tuchscherer for the Harlow Happenings column in the Benson County Press, Minnewaukan, North Dakota until April 18, 2021. Opal’s interests included gardening, canning, sewing, family history, travel and the Norsk Hostfest. Her foreign travels included Norway, Japan, England, Wales, Germany, France, Austria, Lichtenstein, Mexico, Canada and Nova Scotia.


Survivors include her children: Karen and husband Roger Hill of Esmond, North Dakota, Susan Groff and husband David Wass of rural Underwood, Minnesota, Nancy and husband Nathan Wass of Roseville, Minnesota, Wayne Groff and husband Jim Dryden of Roseville, Minnesota, Rebecca Groff and husband John Biles of Lafayette, Colorado, Sheri Tuchscherer and husband Tim Tuchscherer of rural York, North Dakota and Sandi Groff and husband David Crooke of St Croix, USVI and rural Harlow, North Dakota. Sisters Alice Knutson of Devils Lake, North Dakota and Clarice Ovrid and husband Bill Francis of Simi Valley, California and Grants Pass, Oregon. Sister-in-law Irene Bratvold of Simi Valley, California and Pat Groff of San Diego, California. Grandchildren Ross Hill, Rachel Cunningham, Chad Hill, Signe Wass, Katrina Wass, Natalie Wass and Nadra Wass, fourteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and nieces and nephews.  


Opal was preceded in death by her husband Walter Groff May 1st, 1994, his parents, Ole and Ingeborg Groff, and siblings: Gilbert Groff, Bennie Groff, Thelma Park, Maybelle Holk, Lillian Hoff and Glenn Groff, Opal’s parents, Emil and Agnes Bratvold, brothers Elmer Bratvold and Orlyn Bratvold, sister Annie Brenno Schmid, brothers-in-law Ted Ovrid, Bernie Knutson, George Schmid, Lee Horn, Gilbert Groff, Bennie Groff, Eugene Park, Erwin Holk, Glenn Groff, Bob Hoff and sisters-in-law Mitsue Yasuda Bratvold and Ernistine Pichler Bratvold.

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I enjoyed the weekly news she reported and her stories of the early days of life around the area. Condolences to her family.

What a lady! God gave us all a blessing if you knew Opal! Blessings to the family and I will miss her

Our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering yo nou and your loved one today and always.