Peder Arnold Opsahl

Opsahl, Peder A., age 78 of Roseville, MN passed away September 18, 2022 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul due to complications from lung cancer. During his final days he enjoyed many visits and messages of love and support from friends and family. Peder was born in Minneapolis on August 12, 1944, the first-born son of Arnold and Evelyn Opsahl. They lived in Northeast Minneapolis, and then moved to Roseville, Minnesota where he grew up with his brother David. The boys were very close and shared lots of adventures together. Peder graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in 1962 then began working for his uncle Rolf Opsahl's home building company and completed a Carpentry apprenticeship. He served in the Marine Corp Reserves and spent his career in various aspects of construction including home building, as owner of OAK Construction, a commercial acoustical ceiling contracting company, as well as construction sales, facilities management and commercial remodeling. As a dad, Peder built a home in Elk River where he helped raise his four boys. He volunteered with his neighborhood association where he built a playground, maintained nature trails and a ski hill, and with his kids' high school where he helped organize all-night graduation parties. Peder was the go-to guy for his parents, family and friends who kept him busy with remodeling, fixing things, dog sitting and numerous other projects and problems to solve. He was always the first to offer to help someone, and the last to want to be paid or receive a favor in return. Peder loved chatting with people and forming connections, and he befriended random strangers wherever he went. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, and his love of teasing people. His charm extended to animals, especially Shelties, and he was a favorite visitor in many homes due in part to the never-ending supply of treats he always carried with him. Second to (or maybe tied with) his love of people and pets, was Peder's love of sweets including donuts, cookies and malts. Peder loved to host holiday celebrations for the family and insisted on doing most of the cooking himself. No menu was complete without massive amounts of quality meat, a volcano of mashed potatoes with a whole stick of butter on top, and way too many desserts. Peder had a positive attitude and impressive physical strength, even during his battle with cancer. He was a sharer of strong opinions, and a lover of strong coffee. He drove fast, worked hard, and kept busy. In what little down time he allowed himself, he enjoyed watching movies and TV programs including favorites like Judge Judy, vintage cowboy shows and British comedies. Peder enjoyed researching and learning new things, he appreciated history, and collected Stickley furniture and antique tools. Inspired by boyhood trips to the North Shore with his own family, he started an annual tradition with his own kids and grandkids which we called "Lutsen" no matter what town we stayed in. Favorites included World's Best Donuts, walks along the lakeshore and hikes to see the fall colors. No Lutsen trip was complete without a stop at the trading post in Grand Marais for the grandkids to pick out a toy, and huge bags of candy to take home at the end of the trip. Peder was blessed to have met Ardell Hill at the company they both worked for in 2000 and they enjoyed many years of companionship, travel and fun together. He also became close with her kids and their families. We would like to thank Ardell for the care and love she provided to Peder, especially during the past year, and to her family for treating him like their own. Peder was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Evelyn Opsahl. He is survived by his brother David (Lora) of Edina, MN and nephews Andy, Josh and Noah; sons Chris (Laura) Opsahl of Woodbury, MN, Scott (Patti) Opsahl of Lakeville, MN, Eric (Nikki) Opsahl of Zimmerman, MN and Jeremy (Tara) Opsahl of Lakeville; grandchildren Brady, Jaime, Jarod, Carter, Jordon, Peyton, Bailee, Mia, Nick, Alex and Will, and special friend and companion Ardell Hill and her family. The family will be designating memorials to Minnesota Sheltie Rescue in his honor.

Tributes

Peder Arnold Opsahl

August 12, 1944 - September 18, 2022

Tributes

Peder Arnold Opsahl

August 12, 1944 - September 18, 2022

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