Harlan Opdahl

On Sun. August 29, 2010, Harlan Odell Opdahl, 72, left his worldly shelter to travel to his permanent heavenly home. Harlan passed away peacefully at his home in Pierce, Idaho, following a heart-related illness. Harlan was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota on June 17, 1938, to Gertrude and Henry Opdahl. He grew up as a farm kid and graduated from Alden High School in 1956. He attended Waldorf College, earning his Associate Degree in 1958. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara I. Ramsdell, on Jan. 17, 1959 Harlan worked in Pierce at Jaype for Potlatch, Corporation, and for several area loggers until 1979, when he discovered a way to unite his love of the outdoors and hunting with a livelihood. Harlan, his brother Duane and their wives purchased an outfitting business which they changed the name to Triple "O" outfitters, and life became much busier for all of them. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were kind enough to get lost 200 years ago in the area Triple "O" Outfitters utilized, and Harlan enthusiastically delved into the history of that historic trek and began leading trail rides and visits to some of the camps Lewis and Clark chronicled. He shared his love and knowledge of the Lolo portion of the trail with people from around the world, including joining friend and film maker Ken Burns at the White House in Nov. 1997 to show then President Bill Clinton a preview of Ken Burns documentary of Lewis and Clark. They also had Good Morning America join them on the Lolo Trail at Weitas Meadows on July 14, 2002, as well as numerous articles in publications including National Geographic and Western Horseman. Harlan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara Opdahl, 4 children, Gwen and Bob Schryver ,Yuma, AZ., Jim and Linda Opdahl, Payette, Id., Diane and Mike Snyder, Baker City, Ore., and Sharon and Darrin Hartwig, Lewiston, Id. Other surviving family members include 13 grandchildren, one sister, Gloria Peterson of Albert Lea, Minn., sister-in-law Violet Opdahl, Lewiston, Id., and numerous much-loved nieces and nephews. If it's true that friends are the flowers of life, Harlan also leaves behind a garden of blessings he called friends. A memorial and celebration of Harlan's life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sat. Sep. 11, at Timberline School. A potluck dinner will follow at Pierce Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Faith Lutheran Church PO Drawer C, Pierce, ID 83546, Clearwater County Search and Rescue PO Box 724, Orofino, ID 83544, or ICARE (Cancer Assistance and Recovery Effort) 2134 Canyon Creek Road, Orofino, ID 83544. Condolences may be made online at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.