The funeral service for Opal Hope Gulbertson will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the United Methodist Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Gregory P. Ciesluk will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before the service at the church.

Opal died on Saturday, June 29, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center. She was 72 years old.

Opal was born in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 8, 1929, the daughter of Michael and Gladys (Flanagan) Wagner. She attended school in Spokane. She had lived in the Albert Lea area since 1952.

On May 23, 1954, Opal was united in marriage with Francis E. Gulbertson in Albert Lea. She had been a resident of Good Samaritan Nursing Home for the past 10 years and had served as president of the resident council. She enjoyed doing crafts, playing bingo and going on picnics. She was very fond of her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.

Opal is survived by two sons: Arnold Gulbertson and his wife Susan, and Francis Gulbertson, all of Albert Lea; four daughters: Alzada Gulbertson and her special friend Kent Flatness, Cherri Nelson and her husband Steve, Brenda Avelar and her husband Jose, and Marlene Boerner and her husband Edwin, all of Albert Lea; 10 grandchildren: Dan Gulbertson of Albert Lea, Bradley Nelson and his wife Lori of Owatonna, Angela Gulbertson of Rake, Iowa, Andrew Nelson and his wife Angie of Albert Lea, Jose “Chopper” Avelar, Adam Avelar, Samantha Avelar, Brenda Lee Avelar, Tabitha Avelar and Jessica Gulbertson, all of Albert Lea; five step grandchildren: Scott Meyers of Minneapolis, Darcey Boerner and her husband Nick Pete of Albert Lea, Tony Boerner and his special friend Dawn Johnson of Albert Lea, Josephine Avelar of Portland, Ore., and Aaron Hann of Albert Lea; seven great-grandchildren: Kyle, Michaela, Rudy, Selena, Shamea, Shealynn and Tre; one sister, Clara Mack of Albert Lea; special friends: Liz and Sheena Thompson of Albert Lea; and nieces, nephews and Good Samaritan family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step granddaughter, Vicki Boemer; and one brother, Charles Biddle.