Jon Olin Opoien

• Residence: Fargo, Cass, North Dakota, United States - 10 March 1999
  • Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 21 2020, 1:51:55 UTC
• Residence: Fargo, Cass, North Dakota, United States - 10 March 1999
  • Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 21 2020, 2:39:18 UTC

Jon Olin Opoien, 60, West Fargo, ND, died on Monday, June 28, 2010 in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Fargo, ND.

Jon Olin Opoien was born June 7, 1950, at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND, to Allan and Ruth (Sigdahl) Opoien. He was raised in Cando, ND, then Melstone, MT, Pekin, ND, Atwater, CA, Fairdale, ND, and Warwick, ND. He graduated from Warwick HS in 1968. He attended Mayville State College for one year, and then joined the Navy in 1969. He was a trumpet player in the Navy band from 1970-1973 performing with the USO shows in the Pacific and on the west coast until his honorable discharge in 1973. He went to work as a salesman at Marguerite's Music in Devils Lake, ND. He married Cathy Wolfe in 1974. After their divorce, Jon moved to Whidbey Island, WA, where he met and married Cheryl DuPuy. They moved to ND and he graduated from Jamestown College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Their daughter, Alisha, was born February 24, 1983. They moved to Wahpeton, ND, where they were houseparents at a group home. Jon and Cheryl later divorced. He worked at Schmitt Music in Fargo, and later began his own piano tuning - service business in 1989. Jon married Barbara Schneekloth on February 12, 1993.

Jon was diagnosed with cancer on his 60th birthday, June 7, 2010. We'll miss Jon's smile, his stories, and his honesty. He enjoyed fast motorcycles, faster red Mustangs and even faster grandbabies. As the oldest of the Opoien boys, he mentored his brothers through their teenage years, being with them and for them! He enjoyed guy time with his brothers to the end.

Jon received his 33-year AA medallion this June. His AA family was a big part of his life, and they were very loyal and attentive to him especially during his illness and VA hospitalization. Jon's family is grateful for the kindness and comfort given him by the AA members and the wonderful VA staff also.

Jon is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Alisha (Rob) Jeffords; grandchildren, Rylan and Araya Jeffords; father, Allan (Donna) Opoien; brothers, Bruce (Teresa), Rick (Von), Jay (Renae); step-brother, Brandon (Michelle) Tweed; step-sister, Korrey (Robby) Hansen; nephews, Chris, Mike, Dave, Matt, Mark; nieces, Sandy, Sarah, Sadie; aunts, Beulah Gaarder, Marjorie (Orlie) Thoreson, Margaret (Larry) Mannie, Molly Mathiason; sisters-in-law, Janice Diemert, Judy (Frank) Stecklein; and many fun cousins although he remained close through the years especially to Lyle Mannie and Marcy Sedler.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth, and his youngest brother, Lee Opoien

Visitation: Thursday, July 1, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND and one hour before the service in the church.

Funeral: Friday, July 2, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Pekin Lutheran Church, Pekin, ND.

Burial: Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, Kloten, ND.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 21 2020, 3:05:28 UTC