Opal Viesselman

Opal was born on December 13, 1911 in a very humble home on the South Dakota prairie near Ipswich. She was the fifth child born to Jesse and Ollie Belle (known to the family as Sally) Scearcy. This was "dust bowl" area and her mother always said that they survived on hot air and rabbit tracks. After the tragic death of Opal''s sister, Frieda, from Scarlet Fever and crop failures the family was forced to seek help from relatives in Minnesota. They farmed on several farms in the Southern Minnesota area. In spite of limited financial resources, Opal often spoke of the fun that she had with her sisters and brothers. They all loved music and singing was a favorite thing to do. Her father played a "jew''s harp". She started school before she was five years old. She was a very bright little girl and did well despite her young age. She loved books and her sisters often told about her locking herself in the outhouse or hiding up in a tree with a book when it was time to help with dishes or other house work. Once, the family went into a panic as little Opal was missing. After a search they found her asleep with a book in her lap in a haystack.She very much wanted to attend High School, so arrangements were made for her to live with a family in Fairmont and do maid service for her keep. At one time she worked as a "coat-check girl" at Interlocken Ball Room. While in High School she again proved to be a good student. She even excelled at French. She also fell in love with the very handsome athlete, Cort Viesselman. Their first date was to an Ice Cream Social at her church. Because times were hard and money was scarce, a fun date was to walk uptown and share a bottle of strawberry pop. After she graduated from High School, she worked at as a store clerk. Opal and Cort made plans to elpoe as the policy was "one job to a family" and they did not think they could survive on that limited income. In May of 1933, they set out with Cort''s brother, Emerson, and Opal''s sister, Dorothy, for South Dakota. The car broke down and they were forced to return to Fairmont. A month later on June 25, they set out again and this time the wedding did take place. They kept their marriage a secret for some time with only family members "in the know".Her first son, Cort (Skeeter), was born in the Fairmont hospital. In 1938 they moved to Blue Earth. Her sons Kent and Keith were born in the family home on Ramsey Street.She enjoyed her young family and church activities at Salem United Methodist Church. She loved books and belonged to "book of the month" clubs and took great pride in her ever growing collection. As her children got older, she joined her husband in business at their meat market. She could bone meat out for hamburger with the best of them. In 1958, they purchased a grocery store which they operated until 1970. After that, she worked at Telex and in the hospital kitchen. After her husband''s death, she took as her mission, making sure that other single women had needed transportation to church activities. In 1992 she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and St. Luke''s Care Center became her home. She made many friends there during her thirteen years in residence. She was known for her wit and her ability to "wise-crack" with folks. She was member of the Resident Council. The love and care of all staff were gifts that she most appreciated. On the evening of September 22, 2005, she finished her journey on this earth. We will always be blessed by our memories of her. Opal is survived by her 3 sons: Cort (& wife Violet) Viesselman of Hutchinson, Kent (& wife Diane) Viesselman of Wells and Keith (& wife Connie) Viesselman of Pella, Iowa. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Reko of Blue Earth, nine grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.Opal was preceded in death by her parents, husband Cort in 1984, sisters: Mable Scearcy, Myrtle Park, Dorothy Hagen, Frieda Scearcy and an infant sister. She was also preceded in death by her three brothers: Earl, George and Boyd Scearcy.