Opal Irene Alden, 98, of Redfield, SD, went home to the Lord on Monday, April 9, 2007 at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield. Her funeral will be Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wesleyan Church in Redfield. Reverend Dennis Stroup will officiate. After a time for fellowship and lunch the burial will be in the Mellette Cemetery in Mellette. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield.
(www.thelenfuneralhome.com)

Opal was born November 1, 1908 in Sewell, Iowa to James and Margaret (McIntire) Hart. She moved with her parents to the rural Clark area when she was twelve years old. She attended Thorpe School near Bradley, SD. When her folks moved to Henry, SD, she met and married Elmer Alden on October 2, 1926. They farmed there until 1958 when they moved to Brentford, SD. They farmed in the Brentford area for a several years before operating the cafAC. in Brentford. Elmer died in 1980. Opal moved to Redfield in 1986 and worked as a foster grandparent for twenty-one years at SDDC-Redfield.

She was a member of the Wesleyan Church.

Opal enjoyed quilting, crossword puzzles, gardening, canning and reading the bible.

Opal is survived by two daughters: LaVonne Morris of Redfield, Pat (Arne) Arneson of Tulare, SD; three sons: Roger Alden of Mellette, David (Sharen) Alden of Huron, SD; and Harry (Kathryn) Alden of Waukegan, IL. one daughter in law, Winn Alden of Plainwell, MI. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Lori St. Aubin, John Alden, Jason Alden, Kenny Haessig, Jeff Haessig, Debbie Visser, Steven Morris, Randy Morris, Russell Morris, Joe Albrecht and Amber Alden, twenty-four great grandchildren and twenty-three great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son James, two infant daughters, six sisters and two brothers.

Casketbearers will be Opal's grandchildren. Honorary casketbearers will be Bob Cleberg and the Eastern Star Home staff.