Truman Marvel Opheim, 89 of Fertile, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at Eventide Senior Living Center, Moorhead MN, under the care of Hospice. Truman was born at home in Fertile, MN on December 16, 1920, son of Otto and Louise (Iverson) Opheim. He grew up and graduated from Fertile High School in 1939. A short time after graduation, he moved to Long Beach, CA, where he worked at Donald Douglas Aircraft as a mechanic. On December 16, 1942, he was drafted into the United States Army serving with the HHC 879th Air Borne Engineer Aviation Battalion, 10th Air Force. Stationed in Burma, the 879th Battalion repaired and maintained airfields, while often harassed by enemy fire. After being honorably discharged on November 15, 1945, he went back out to California for a short time before coming back home to help with the farm.
Truman met and married his bride of 55 years, Irene Opsahl, on October 23, 1954, in Immanual Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. Together they lived and raised their family in rural Fertile, while he farmed and worked for American Crystal Sugar Company in Crookston MN, until his retirement in 1986. Truman was a member of the American Legion Post #238; he was also a loyal and faithful member of First Evanger Lutheran Church, where he held many offices. Truman liked to do woodworking, fishing, hunting, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time visiting with family and friends.
Truman is survived by his wife, Irene, Moorhead, MN, daughter, Theresa (Lee) Leines, Grandin ND; son, Thomas (Wanda) Opheim, Indianapolis, IN; son, Owen Opheim, Delphi, IN; daughter, Julie (Daniel) Bonham, Franklin, IN; sister, Florence Johnston, Minneapolis, MN; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Kenneth, and one sister, Opal Ausen.


Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 2 pm in the First Evanger Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 24, 2010, from 5-7 pm at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home , Fertile, Mn.

Burial will be in the First Evanger Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.