Opal Ruth Tolstedt was born November 10, 1928 in Alliance, Nebraska to Olaf and Gertrude (Sterling) Olsen. Her growing up years were spent in rural Mitchell and Alliance. Opal celebrated her 94th birthday on November 10 and passed away Monday, November 21, 2022 at Box Butte General Hospital following two years of loving care at Highland Park Care Center.
Opal graduated from Alliance High School in 1947. She met Wayne Tolstedt in Alliance and they were married October 23, 1949.
Most people knew Opal from her years at the Guardian State Bank. She also worked at Western Heritage Credit Union, Montgomery Ward, Kandy Snap, was an Avon dealer and was a rural school teacher. She was a leader in a Saint John’s Lutheran Church service group and in the Box Butte General Hospital Auxiliary. Opal’s friendly smile, quick wit and kindness were beloved by many.
She is survived by her two sons, Jerry (Krestie) Tolstedt and Dick Tolstedt all of Alliance; four grandchildren, Tony (Sara) Tolstedt of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Jenny (Scott) Przymus of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Samantha (Ahmed) Ajroud of Middleport, New York, and Jordan (Bret) Dahl of Alliance, Nebraska; and eight great-grandchildren, Rowan, Thayne, Neji, Bree, Ethan, Ryker, Hedi, and Neil.
Opal was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, her parents, and eight brothers and sisters.
Memorial services will be held Monday, December 5, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s United Lutheran Church with Maurine Roller, P.M.A. officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.
Memorials may be given to the Box Butte General Hospital Auxiliary, Highland Park Care Center Memory Support Unit, or St John’s United Lutheran Church service groups.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.