 OPSTEDAL, ANTHONY (TONY) JOSEPH was born on May 15, 1922 to Joseph Arnold Opstedal and Eleanora Ann Hawell of Munich, ND. Tony went to his Lord from his home in Albuquerque on January 29, 2013. Tony served in the Army during WWII and received a purple heart for wounds he received on an island in the Philippines. He attended Seattle University after WWII where he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. He worked for a short time on the Alaskan Highway and then accepted a position with the US Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife. He started his career in Portland Oregon then moved his wife and 6 children to Albuquerque in 1954. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Post 401, a charter member of the Elks Club in Vernal Utah, member of the Shrine of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church, an avid golfer until the age of 86, and could be found making wagers in Sandia Casino after retiring from golf on almost any given day. Tony retired from the Fish and Wildlife Department as the regional construction inspection supervisor in 1972 at the age of 50. He started Opstedal Construction and Engineering company with his oldest son in 1975. He retired for the second time in 2002 at the age of 80. He lost his beloved wife Mary, in 2006 and spent the next six and a half years waiting for the day he would see her again in Paradise. That day arrived January 29, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Aaron, Arnold and Eugene; his wife, Mary, his oldest son, Anthony Michael Opstedal, and one grandson, Matthew Joseph Brians. Tony is survived by one sister, Luella Olson of Washington state; four daughters, Mary Lee Brians of Albuquerque, NM, Theresa Joyce Lyons of West Branch, Iowa, Frances Irene Christianson of Mt. Vernon, Texas and Barbara Ann Goddard of Albuquerque, NM and one son, Joseph William Opstedal of Monterrey, Mexico. He also leaves behind 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. A Visitation will be on Monday, February 4, 2013 at Daniels Family Funeral Services from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Febrauary 5, 2013 at Shrine of St. Bernadette at 11509 Indian School Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 p.m. Pallbearers will be William (Bill) Maguire, Kevin Millikan, Chilion Opstedal, Shawn Baciccini, Kyle Baciccini and Gary Durbin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Garett Christianson, Damon Shelton, Nathan Goddard and Michael Opstedal. Those who wish to share a story or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-821-0010
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