Opal Bang, 95, Stillwater

Published 10:26 am Thursday, August 8, 2013

Memorial services for Opal J. Bang, 95, of Stillwater and formerly of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Allan Stoa will officiate. Interment will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Lake Mills at a later date. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Opal Bang

Opal died peacefully on Aug. 6, 2013, in Woodbury.

Opal Juliette Bang was born in Joice, Iowa, on July 11, 1918, the daughter of Carl and Julia Field. She attended school in Lake Mills, graduating in 1939. She became the manager and buyer for the Federated Store in Lake Mills. In September of 1942, Opal married Milton Bang. Twelve days later he left for World War II, not returning until 1945. In 1954 they moved to Albert Lea, and she was active at First Lutheran Church working as an office volunteer for 25 years, helped prepare Homebound Communion Kits, and was a member of Circle 36 and the Altar Guild for 48 years.

Opal was a three-time cancer survivor. In 1958 she had experimental radiation at the University of Minnesota which helped develop the radiation therapy widely used now. She was courageous facing medical challenges and always met them with grace and acceptance, keeping her gentle demeanor and delightful humor. Her joy was her family and serving luncheons for her friends.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Milton; her parents, Carl and Julia Field; her sisters, Fern Johnson and Evelyn Klett; and brother, Duane Field.

She was a devoted mother to her daughters, Connie (Keith) Smeby of St. Paul and Melinda (Ross) Brown of Orono. She was a precious grandma to Joel (Jennifer) Smeby, Jarrett (Beth) Smeby, Jonathan Smeby, Jason Brown, Elizabeth Brown and fiance Andy Fasching; and a dear sister to Virginia Thomas of Lake Mills. She loved her nieces and nephews, too, and was thrilled to have her extended family celebrate her 95th birthday with her on July 11.

Memorials are preferred to the Peace and Power ministry of First Lutheran Church, or to the Salem Lutheran cemetery, Lake Mills.