Opal Anderson-Harrison
August 15, 1930 - February 17, 2017
Obituary
MADISON- Opal Marie, age 86, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at St. Mary's Hospital, with her family by her side. She was the youngest and last survivor of seven children, born to Olaf and Hannah (Berge) Haugen. Opal was born in the town of Northfield, Wis. and was baptized and confirmed at the upper Pigeon Creek Church in Pigeon Falls, Wis. After moving to the Madison area, she was employed as a waitress at the Nob Hill and Smokey's Club for over sixty years, retiring at 82. Opal is survived by her three children and their families, Nadine (Mike) Anderson of Florida, Philip (Jeanne Smith) Anderson of Cottage Grove, and Curtis (Terri) Anderson of Cambridge; four grandchildren, Cicely (Mike) Lacusky of Florida, Leah (Todd) Furseth, Chris Anderson, Jason (Ashley) Anderson, all of Cambridge, and Keith Anderson of Madison; three great-grandchildren, Sierra Brianna Lacusky of Florida, Olivia Opal and Kayla Mae Anderson of Cambridge. She is further survived by and wishes the very best to her extended family, Bill (Lori) Smith and family of Lake Mills, Patti (Lee) Laren of Florida, Randy (Judy) Harrison, Brian (Carol) Harrison, Laurie Buss, and their families, all of Madison; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Opal was preceded in death by her parents; husband of twenty-five years, Evan T. Harrison; four brothers, Arnold, Halvor, Ole and Ames Haugen; two sisters, Ruth Merrick and Judy Johnson; two step-daughters, Shirley Keith and Janine Hauptle; and her children's father, Nathan D. Anderson. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Thu Feb 23, 2017 @ 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Thu Feb 23, 2017 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Opal have been shared yet.
Memories
DH
Delores Harrison
Other •
I will miss "Opie"! Each spring I get a call from her telling me to come over any time and get rhubarb! Plus asparagus! Then through the summer sharing beets from my garden for her to can! Opie would each year call and ask me what my recipe was for doing dilly beans!
Russ and I send our sympathy to her loved ones!
Delores and Russ Harrison
Cottage Grove
PL
Patricia and Leo Larsen
Other •
Our family is deeply sadden at the loss of my precious step-mother Opal, she loved my late father Evan with an unconditional love and always put him first. Opal was a kind, gentle, loving, generous and accepting woman, you could never leave her kitchen (because that is where you would usually find her or out in her garden) without some homemade baked good or in the summer bags of zucchini or other fresh veggies. We shared many telephone conversations since our move to Florida, our last conversation was about a new friend she had met in the parking lot of the VFW Club on Cottage Grove Rd and all the fun they were having, she spoke of her wonderful children Philip, Curt and Nadine and their spouse, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with much love and pride.
I'm thankful that I was blessed to have this amazing woman in my life and for my extended family and all the memories.
Lee and I and our family will miss her terribly.
"So many people walk in and out of our lives, but only true friends(she was my friend) leave foot prints in our hearts".
"The memories we collect and give, brighten our lives as long as we live". (Julie Sneyd)
Thanks for the memories 'Grandma Opal' Love you always, Patti and Leo Larsen.
A
Ann
Other •
My sincere condolences to Opal's family. She was such a sweet neighbor. I admired her spunk and enthusiasm. I will miss my visits with her so much. May u be conforted at this time reflecting on her long life. Ann Zukowski 4281 VH
CH
Char Howell
Other •
I haven't seen Opie for many years I worked with her at Nob Hill. She was a sweetheart of all sweethearts
HG
Honor M Guimond
Other •
So very sorry for your loss. I knew something was wrong when I did not receive a Christmas card this year. I remember fondly the hard worker she was when we worked together for 17 years at Nob Hill in Madison, WI. The joy of her life seemed to be her children and grandchildren. I am sure she was active to the end. What a sweetheart, Opal, you will be missed!