Eloise A. Neevel

Eloise Ann (Opperud) Neevel of Marion, ND, passed away June 16, 2025, at Edgewood Vista in Fargo, ND, at the age of 103. She was just 39 days short of reaching the age of 104.

Eloise was born on July 25, 1921, at home to Mary and Haldor Opperud of Litchville, ND, growing up on the family farm with two older sisters, Alice and Margaret. Eloise walked almost two miles to a country school in all kinds of weather, even when there were subzero temperatures. She would then attend high school in Litchville, graduating in 1939.

As a teenager Eloise worked hard on the farm and would prepare the horses for working in the fields. She also found time for music and as a teenager she played piano for one or two churches each Sunday in Litchville. After high school, Eloise attended Business College in Fargo, ND.

At the age of twenty-two, Eloise was united in marriage to Leonard Neevel on December 30, 1943, in Jamestown, ND. Together they settled on a farm in Greenland Township, north of Marion, ND. Eloise loved farm life, raising a big garden of vegetables and always having lots of flowers. She spent countless hours in the kitchen making homemade buns, angel food cake, freezing vegetables and making pickles. Eloise also found time to work in the field while raising their three children, Karen, Laurel and Bob.

Eloise enjoyed being in the bowling league for many years and was also joined by her husband, Leonard and son, Bob, for many of those years, each one earning trophies for bowling. There were also many fishing trips and in which Eloise always packed huge lunches to enjoy.

Eloise played the organ at the North Marion Reformed Church for a few years, before playing at Marion Methodist Church for forty-five years. She would later team up with her daughter, Karen, who played piano, and they enjoyed playing together for many years.

On March 3, 1999, Leonard passed away. After his passing she continued to live on the farm with the help of her family and spent a few winters living in Fargo. In 2012, she began living at Edgewood Vista and appreciated all the help from staff where many called her grandma or mom.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Keith) Leistikow, and son, Bob (Carmen) Neevel; grandchildren, Kristi (Brian) Dentinger, Kory (Nichole) Leistikow, Rachelle Schmitz and Amy (John) Wolfe; seventeen great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard; daughter, Laurel; and sisters, Margaret and Alice.

A Visitation for Eloise will begin at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 23, 2025, followed by her Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 AM, in the Edgewood Vista Chapel, Fargo.

She will be laid to rest in Bethlehem Cemetery, Litchville, ND.

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)