Marlo Eugene Opland was born in Dell Rapids,SD on October 24, 1928. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 19, 2016. He was 87 years old. Funeral service will be held 10:00 am Monday, October, 24, 2016 at St. John American Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Sunday, October 23, 2016 6:00-8:00pm at the church with a prayer service at 7:00pm. On-line condolences may be left at the Heritage Funeral Home website.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife Neva of 56 years and by his 5 children and 14 grandchildren. Monica (Kurt) Konold, Emma (Jake) Tupa, Claire and Benjamin Konold; Marcia (Tim), Katie, Rachel and Austin Odland; Wade (Suzanne), Aden, Tage, and Avery Opland: Mark (Gina), Ella, Andrew, and Ava Opland; Craig, Olivia and Sam Opland. His children and grandchildren were very precious to him and they each had a special place in his heart.
He is also survived by his sister Norma Stenberg, brothers Raymond Orlin (Linda) Opland and Rollin Dale (Amy) Opland along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Pearl (Sundal) Opland.
Marlo lived on several farms while growing up in Colton, Flandreau, Dell Rapids, and Brookings, SD. He attended country schools Rosehill School, Shady Lawn, Williamson, and Bell School. After graduating from Eagan High School in 1948, Marlo helped his dad on the farm until joining the Air Force in 1951. Marlo served from 1951-1955 at Lockland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, Shephard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, KS, Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and ended his military career at Travis Air Force Base in California. During these years he was a B-29 specialist and worked on C-97 cargo planes.
After leaving the Air Force, Marlo worked as a hired hand for his uncle Alec Sundal. He then began his career in auto mechanics in Brookings, SD. He also bought a gravel truck and began a gravel hauling business for 2 years. Marlo then moved to Sioux Falls, SD to work on the construction of the spillway and the Atomic Plant. He returned to auto mechanics and worked at 4th and Main and Phillips 66 Stations, Locke Auto Electric and International Harvester Truck as an electrical diesel mechanic. After retirement, Marlo worked at Hy-Vee where he loved talking to any customers that brought their little children with them. He could always make them smile, and that brought him great joy.
Marlo was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed years of singing in the choir. Music, singing, and dancing were an important part of him and his family’s lives. Marlo will be remembered for his ability to fix almost anything and his willingness to help his family and friends whenever they needed him. He was always ready with a joke and a laugh and even strangers felt like friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to St. John American Lutheran Church.