On March 9, 2006, B. Duane Opdahl, age 79, of Pierce, Idaho, had a heart attack and went to heaven to be with Jesus. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierce with the Rev. Gail Hart officiating, followed with a covered dish dinner at the Pierce Community Center.

He was born in

Albert Lea, on Oct. 30, 1926, to Henry and Gertrude (London) Opdahl. He was raised on the family farm near

Alden, Minn. and graduated from

Alden High School in 1944. In 1946 he joined the Army and was stationed in Italy for a year. He was honorably discharged in March 1948. He attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. While at Waldorf, he sang in the college choir where he met his wife, Violet Mino. Their love of music continued and has been passed down to heir children and grandchildren. They celebrated 55 years of marriage this past year. He assisted his father by living and working on the family farm. In the early 1960’s he was chosen Outstanding Young Farmer of Freeborn County. While on the farm he and his brother also started Opdahl Trucking.

In 1967 he and his family left the farm and moved to Forest City, Iowa. He worked for Winnebago Industries,

Forest City Millworks and McAnnich Construction. He also renewed his interest and skill in flying, accomplishing the life-long goal of earning his private pilot’s license.

In 1976 they moved to Pierce, Idaho where he worked for Carl Nelson Logging, Davis Trucking and KMC Trucking. He competed in truck driving contests at the Pierce 1860 Days and the Orofino Lumberjack Days, often winning or placing in the top three. In 1979 he and his brother purchased an outfitting business and started the Triple &8220;O&8221; Outfitters. He eventually sold his interest to his brother but continued to stay involved, supporting Harlan and Barb over the years with things too numerous to list. He retired in 1995 but has hauled many loads of logs since then.

He was a member of the Snowmobile Groomer Board, The Howard Bradbury Logging Museum Board, and a faithful member of

Faith Lutheran Church. He is a past member of the Waldorf Board of Regents and the White Pine Credit Union Board. He was an avid supporter of the right to keep and bear arms and was a Life member of the NRA and the Golden Eagles.

Duane was known for his humor and story telling. He was a generous person, always lending a helping hand to his friends and family. He was also a man who loved and trusted God, sharing that love with others in the way he lived his life.

He is survived by his wife, Violet; his five children, Dennis and Jill Opdahl of Lewiston, Cindy and Don Moore of Yakima, Wash., Janet and Bob Holzer of Orofino, Betty and Howard Weeks of Cavendish and Martin and Pam Opdahl of Pierce; grandchildren, Jeremy and Erica Opdahl and their children Keegan and Maddisyn, and Jennifer Opdahl of Lewiston, Veronica and Lars Skaar and daughter, Kaia of Story City, Iowa, Laurel and Micah Cawley and Eric Moore of Yakima, Wash., Katelyn and Breck Holzer of Orofino, Holly and Clay Weeks of Cavendish and Alex Opdahl of Pierce; one sister, Gloria Peterson of Emmons, Minn.; one brother, Harlan and Barb Opdahl of Pierce; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Pierce EMTs, the Piano Fund at Faith Lutheran Church or Waldorf College, c/o Faith Lutheran Church, Drawer C, Pierce, Idaho 83546.