Opal P. Viland

Funeral service for Opal Viland, age 89, of Milaca, will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Milaca Evangelical Free Church. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Casketbearers will be Reuben Viland, David Viland, Bill Abramson, Dick Abramson, John Madson, and Larry Larson. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM Wednesday at the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Opal P. Viland was born on July 10, 1923 in Benson, MN to Otto S. and Ellen C. (Anderson) Abramson. At a young age, the family moved to the Granite Ledge area. Opal attended Pine Grove Country School and graduated from Foley High School in 1941. After high school, Opal moved to Minneapolis and worked at Dayton’s. She married Orin Kaale June 26, 1943 at her parents’ home. They made their home in Westbrook MN, where they owned and operated the Westbrook Jewelry Store for 21 years. In 1963, Opal moved back to the Milaca area and worked at the Milaca Elim Home. On December 11,1965 she married Melvin Viland and they made their home in Milaca. Opal enjoyed many years of being a housewife: baking, tending her garden, knitting and crocheting. In 1979, she went to work at Milaca Mills. She enjoyed her job and the many close friendships she made before retiring in 1997. After selling her home in 1996, she moved to Centennial Square Apartments, where she did many caretaking duties and enjoyed fellowship with her friends. Opal loved entertaining for friends and family. Her biggest pride and joy were her grandsons, Joe and Bryan. She became their biggest fan, up to her dying day, she maintained a special bond with both of them. She was a long time active member of the Milaca Ev. Free Church teaching Sunday School and serving as financial secretary. Opal passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Country Manor in Sartell. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Kruse of St. Cloud; grandsons, Joseph Kruse of Milaca and Bryan Kruse of St. Cloud; brother, Orville (Joyce) Abramson of St. Petersburg, FL; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Orin Kaale in 1962 and Melvin Viland in 1992; brother, Albin Abramson; sisters-in-law, Kathryn Abramson, Marie Abramson, Hazel Kaale and Winnifred Kaale; brothers-in-law, Viar Vialnd, Arnold Viland, Milton Kaale and John Kaale.