Donald Merlyn Opseth

Donald “Don” Merlyn Opseth, 94, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at St. Mark’s Assisted Living in Austin, MN.

Don was born on December 6, 1931, in Madison, MN. He was the third of five children born to Hans and Alma (Quale) Opseth. At the age of eight, Don and his family moved off the family farm to Montevideo Minnesota. Even though he only lived eight years on the farm, Don always referred to himself as “this old country boy”. He attended Montevideo High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1953, serving in Germany. He was honorably discharged in August of 1953, as a Corporal.

Following his time in the service, he moved to Owatonna, MN after accepting a job as Assistant Manager at Botsford Lumber Company. It was at the Owatonna Bank that he met the love of his life, Joan Deming, when he went to open an account! Later, he saw her at the Owatonna roller rink and the rest is history. They lived their love story for 64 years.

Don and Joan were married on June 24, 1956, in Owatonna. Eventually, they moved to Hayfield, MN where Don worked for Farmer’s Coop Oil, Nelson Bus Service, and finally, retiring after 25 years with the Hayfield Community Schools.

Known around Hayfield as being very meticulous (especially with his vehicles!), it wasn’t uncommon to see Don washing his vehicles routinely at the high school shop, sometimes twice in one week! When he wasn’t cleaning his vehicles, he enjoyed woodworking, yardwork, and fixing all kinds of old furniture. Together, he and Joan enjoyed their camping trips, traveling the country on their many bus trips with Glenn’s Motorcoach Tours and making many orders of lefse during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Don was a lifelong member of the Hayfield Presbyterian Church, Hayfield American Legion (where he served as Post Commander from 2003 – 2004), as well as the Hayfield Fire Department.

The highlight of Don’s later years was the once in a life time trip he took with the Honor Flight Twin Cities with his son David along with his brother Stanley and nephew-in-law Jeff Rankin in October of 2022. Doing the trip with his brother made it that much more special. He loved that day!

Don is survived by his children, Linda (Al) Henslin, Waseca, MN, David (Laurie) Opseth, Harmony, MN, Kevin (Sheri) Opseth, Alden, MN, Diana (Toby) Nelson, Harmony, MN, and Donna (Dan) Adams, Eyota, MN; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Ardyce Bray of River Falls, WI; and sister-in-law, Janet Meyer of Mankato, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Joan on December 16, 2020; one grandson, Christopher; and three brothers, Raymond, Harlan, and Stanley.

Don’s family would like to thank the staff of St. Mark’s Assisted Living wing and St Mark’s Rehabilitation wing for their incredible care given to Don over the last several years. Thank you also to St. Croix Hospice for their incredible care given to Don these last few weeks. A special thank you to volunteer Sue Conway. Don and Sue shared a special bond – a true blessing to the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory can be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Hayfield, the Hayfield American Legion, or donor’s choice.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church, 109 Main St in Hayfield, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to his service at the church. Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, MN with military honors provided by the Hayfield American Legion Post 330.

To share a special memory or condolence please, visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd Street NW, Hayfield, Minnesota, 507-477-2259. Blessed be his memory.