Obituary of Helen M. Opsahl

Helen M. Opsahl, 94, of Mercer Island, Washington, died February 2, 2015. She was born in Golden Valley, North Dakota, to Carrie and James Opsahl, and attended Dickinson State Teachers College (AA) and Minot State College (BS). She obtained her master’s degree at the University of Iowa, and did additional post-graduate work at three Washington state universities. Her teaching career began in the North Dakota communities of Krem, Golden Valley, and Dodge. Career advancements took her to Iowa and California, but the bulk of her educational endeavors as a school counselor and educational psychologist were spent serving in several public school districts in the Puget Sound Region of Western Washington, including Arlington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Highline, and Kent. Helen retired in 1977 and, in 1991, joined the Covenant Shores Retirement Community on Mercer Island. She loved to travel and express her creativity in visual arts, holding memberships in several professional organizations, as well as First Covenant Church, Seattle. Survivors include three sisters: Marion Wolff, Golden Valley, ND; Doris Brodehl, Modesto, CA; and Florence Opsahl, Minneapolis, MN. A brother, Clarence Opsahl, preceded her in death. The family thanks the Covenant Shores Community and staff for their gracious care of Helen during her final years of declining health. Please leave memories of Helen or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.