Earling Kenneth Opsahl

Earling Kenneth Opsahl, 97, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on March 30, 2026, at home with his family.

Earling was born on a farm near Mabel, Minnesota, on March 9, 1929, to Roy and Ida (Nelson) Opsahl. At the age of 12, his family moved to Austin. He attended Austin Central High School until the 8th grade, when he left school to help his family. He worked at Kinsman Nursery, Gildners, and was an over-the-road truck driver. In 1951, he was called to service in the Korean War. As a private, he trained as a mechanic at the Eta Jima Specialist School, completed his GED, and advanced to the rank of corporal in the Army’s 702nd Tank Battalion. After his return from service, he worked as a school bus driver for Pikes Bus Co. and as a machinist for the City of Austin. He retired from the city in 1982.

Earling met Martha Scofield through his sister, Gladys. They were married on November 6, 1955, and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with four daughters (Earl’s Girls), Marsha, Connie, Susan, and Roseanne; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Earling was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church for many years, where he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher to over 200 eighth graders, and was a founding member of the weekly prayer group. His devotion to faith and service was observed in how he lived his life as an example to others. Throughout his life he shared the following blessing with family and friends, “The good Lord loves you all. Keep your hands in his hands when you walk every day because he loves you very much.”

Earling was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ida Opsahl; brothers, Raymond, Milford, and LeRoy; sisters, Rosie, Ethel, Verna Otterness, Norma Johnson, and Gladys Opsahl; and great-grandson, Henry Sammann.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; daughters, Marsha (Dan) Wilson, Connie (Freddy) Tsui, Susan (Todd) Peterson, Roseanne (Steve) Dahlgren; grandchildren, Rebecca Toov, Nathan Wilson, Katie Ferrell, Sonia Carver, Maria Ehlmquist-Tsui, Lydia Lindley, Aimee Renner, Hannah Sammann; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Elmer Opsahl; sister, Idella Bailey; and sister-in-law, Carol Opsahl.

The family would like to thank Earling’s many guardian angels, especially Yvette Guerra, who have supported him during this time.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. Memorials are preferred to the Wee Learning Center, Salvation Army, or The Hormel Institute. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.