Opal Pettis, age 98, passed away August 25, 2022 at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. on September 3, 2022 at First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls. Burial will follow the service at Beaver Falls Cemetery. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls.
Opal Eleanor Pettis was born October 9, 192, in Manhattan, KS, to Annie Lillian (Sumners) and Elvin E. Lundquiest. She grew up in Manhattan, KS, and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1941. On July 22, 1944, she was united in marriage to Andrew E. Pettis in Topeka, KS. Following his discharge from the service in November, 1945, they moved to Minnesota, farming in the Gibbon, Winthrop, and North Redwood areas. They moved to Redwood Falls in January, 1957. Opal was secretary to principals of the Manhattan, KS, grade schools, junior high school and the Superintendent of Schools. She was later employed in the Office of the Comptroller of Kansas State University in Manhattan. In Redwood Falls she worked in the A.S.C.S. Office and the Redwood County Auditor’s Office. Opal was a member of First United Methodist Church of Redwood Falls where she served on various committees. Her family was very important to her and she enjoyed her children, gran. Great grand and great-great grandchildren and their activities. She liked to crochet and made many afghans for family members and friends. She would can and freeze veggies from her garden, enjoyed baking bread, cakes and other sweet goodies. Music was very important all of her life. She sang in choirs of the churches where she was a member, played piano, organ, and violin. She played violin in small string groups and, for 28 years, was a member of Southwest MN Orchestra.
Opal is survived by daughter Andrea L. (Curtis) Kessler and son Merle S. Pettis of Redwood Falls; 5 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Betty Jane Witt of Wichita, KS; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Andre on August 13, 2004; son, Randall E. on December 28, 2004; brother, Everett W. Lundquist and Robert E. Lundquist; brother-in-law, Elmer R. Witt; 2 great grandsons; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
