1914 ~ 2011
Opal Eline Dahlen, was born on November 7, 1914, to her parents Olie and Emma Simonson. Opal was born at home in the Simonson family home on their farm in Langham District in Saskatchewan. Opal joined her siblings Sidney, Gladys and Norrine and, 12 years later, their younger brother Victor was born.
Opal attended a one-room school and after finishing school settled into farm life doing chores, learning how to cook, sew and master other homemaker skills.
In the winter, leisure time was spent, skating on the sloughs, going to neighbouring farms for skating parties or cross-country skiing on skis crafted by her dad. Opal always remarked on how they made their own fun and there was never a dull moment growing up.
The Simonsons were devout Christians and very involved with the church. They instilled strong Christian and family values in their children. Their church, First Saskatchewan Lutheran, was the hub of the community and it was in this church that Opal was baptized, confirmed and later married.
She was an accomplished, self-taught pianist and loved music. She sang every Sunday in the choir and filled in as the organist if her mother was unavailable to play. Opal was a member of the Luther League youth group and assisted with church socials and potluck suppers. It was at one of these social functions that she met Albert Dahlen a young farm hand for one of the church members. The two of them became inseparable and, after two years of courtship, Albert and Opal were married on August 31, 1937. They began family life on the Simonson farm and in 1939 their first son Wayne was born.
In 1941, Albert’s dad offered them the family homestead in North Rolla, where the Dahlen family immediately made her feel welcome and Albert’s mom became like a mother to Opal. In later years Opal became a very special aunt to all of her nieces and nephews.
Though the Great Depression caused hardships for them, they worked hard and they enjoyed their home life. After struggling to make a living on their quarter section, they decided to move into Dawson Creek. In April 1944, Terry was born.
Opal and Albert were very involved with Grace Lutheran Church. Opal was the organist for 25 years, taught Sunday school and was an active member of the Ladies Aid.
Opal’s boys were her pride and joy she was a stay-at-home mom. Both Wayne and Terry remember she was always there to greet them when they came home from school or work. Meal times were always a family affair.
Opal took a job at Sterling Ladies Wear where she worked for 8 years. She had an eye for fashion and became and excellent clerk who made many good friends who then became her regular customers.
Family get-togethers were very important, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays, anniversaries - they were all reasons for the whole family to gather. They loved to entertain the family and have barbecues. Opal never forgot her kids and grandkids at birthdays and Christmas.
It was a sad time for the family when Albert passed away at the age of 91 but Opal overcame her loss and continued to live in their home until her passing.
Opal enjoyed 100 Huntley Street, The Lawrence Welk Show and the Wheel of Fortune. When she couldn’t go to church on Sundays, she was sure to watch the Hour of Power. She believed in the power of prayer and remembered her family in her prayers every night.
Opal was a true lady. She never said an unkind word about anyone and certainly rarely ever spoke a bad word. When you came for coffee she would always make sure you had cheezies and gingersnaps.
On the night before her passing, Pastor Noel paid her a visit. He held her hand and shared some scriptures with her. One of the scriptures fit Grandma to a “T” it is Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Another John 14:1-3, ‘Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in god, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
On January 30, 2011, Opal passed away peacefully in her sleep and her family is comforted to know that she has gone to the place that her Lord prepared for her and where she will once again be reunited with her true love.
Opal will be fondly remembered by:
her sons, Wayne (Bev) Dahlen and Terry (Joanne) Dahlen.
grandchildren, Wayne (Laurel) Dahlen Jr., Sherri (Sam) Purves,
Carl (Shelley) Dahlen, Greg (Jacque) Dahlen, and
Ashley Dahlen.
Great-grandchildren Amanda and Michael McMullin,
Ben Purves (Tish Lewis), Jodanna and Krissy Dahlen, Carl Dahlen Jr., Trevor Dahlen, Dayna and Niklas Dahlen, great-great-grandchildren Leah Purves,
and brother Victor (Lillian) Simonson.
A memorial service was held on February 4, 2011 at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Noel Smith officiating.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Opal, may be made by donation to the ‘Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation’ or the ‘Concordia Lutheran Seminary.’
Arrangements entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd.
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