Ella Melvine (Nelson) Opjorden

Ella Opjorden, formerly of Milan, MN died on Thursday, January 13, 2005 at the Appleton Nursing Home at the age of 96.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 10:30 AM  at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan with Rev. Thomas Opoien officiating.  Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday afternoon and evening at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Ella Melvine Nelson was born on November 6, 1908 in Kragero Township of Chippewa County, MN  to Lars and Caroline (Thompson) Nelson, the youngest of nine children. She was baptized and confirmed at Kviteseid Lutheran Church.  She attended rural schools near her home and graduated from Milan High School in 1928, where she was a member of the undefeated 1927 girls’ basketball team. On the first day of Spring in 1935 she was united in marriage to Torfinn Opjorden in Milan.  They lived in Milan, where they operated the farm begun by his father, giving their children the unique experience of living on a farm in town.  She was an active member of Kviteseid Lutheran Church, participating in WELCA, Bible Study, and as a Sunday School and Release Time teacher.  She enjoyed sewing, needlework, growing flowers, especially chrysanthemums and impromptu coffee parties with the neighbors. Her children and grandchildren gave her much joy.

She is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Tande and her husband Larry of Medford, MN; a son, Luther Opjorden and his wife Martha of Milan, MN; five grandchildren: Tara Tande (Daniel) Swenson of Seattle, WA, Christopher (Naomi) Opjorden of Litchfield, MN, Thane (Kelly) Tande of Prior Lake, MN, Stewart Opjorden of Saudi Arabia and Nicholas Opjorden of Milan, MN; three great- granddaughters: Viveka Opjorden, Tatum Tande and Tana Tande; as well as by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Torfinn in 1982; her siblings and their spouses: Ted (Annie) Nelson, Clarence (Olga) Nelson, Clara (Abel) Huseby, Ida (George) Peterson, Louise (Chap) Bosler, Noble and Selmer and another brother Noble in infancy; as well as several nieces and nephews.