Opal J. Forness

Opal J. Forness, 88, of Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN. Opal was born June 24, 1922 in Hitterdal, MN, to Martin and Lena Mattson. She grew up with her 12 siblings on the family farm near Hitterdal. Opal graduated from Hitterdal High School and Minnesota State Teacher's College, Moorhead, MN. She started her teaching career in a one room school in Fertile, Minnesota. For most of her 26 years of teaching she taught first grade in the Moorhead School District. Her gift for teaching passed on a love for learning to generations of young students. Her children and grandchildren were blessed with presents of books and enjoyed hours of reading time with her.Opal married Howard Malmskog, until his death in 1957. On June 10, 1966 she married Arvin Forness in Moorhead, MN. Arvin was not only the love of Opal's life but he also became a caring and loving father to her five children.As one of the youngest in her family she served as a caregiver for many of her siblings as they battled through cancer and other illnesses. For many years she was active in Congregational Churches in Ortonville and Moorhead, Minnesota. As a young widow with five small children the church became like family to her.Opal and Arvin enjoyed spending time traveling. Steam threshers, country music, and family visits were often a central theme. After retirement one of their fondest memories was the trip to Hawaii to visit the great grandchildren. At home, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, collecting beanie babies and tea pots, and gathering the family for meals, cards and conversation. She is survived by her husband, Arvin; two daughters, LaVonne John Grunditz, Minneapolis, MN and Susan David Pierson, Salt Lake City, UT; three sons, Mark Betty Malmskog, Laramie, WY, Chuck Karen Malmskog, Maple Grove, MN and David Renee Malmskog, Moorhead, MN; sister, Ruth Iverson, Colorado Springs, CO; sister-in-law, Doris Mattson, Lake Park, MN; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many other family members. Opal is preceded in death by her first husband, Howard; her parents, Martin and Lena Mattson; five brothers, Martin, Elmer, Mervin, Leonard and Vernon; and six sisters, Laura, Palma, Olga, Lucille, Lillian and Mabel.