Opal Gertrude Klingsheim, 100, passed away at her home in Kalispell on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006. Opal was born June 13, 1906, in Howard County, Iowa, to Ernest and Gertrude Ewers Kelsey. She attended high school in Lime Springs, Iowa, where she graduated as her class valedictorian.

After high school, she taught school briefly, until she was married to Elmer Klingsheim on April 21, 1929. They had five children.

Opal enjoyed knitting afghans, and had done more than 130 of them for church missionary work, and for individuals she knew and her family.

She was very active in her church throughout her lifetime, teaching Sunday School, and numerous other activities.

She was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter; a son, Darrel Klingsheim; her parents; and her husband, Elmer.

She is survived by two sons, Gilbert of Kalispell, and Melvin of Hopkins, Minn.; one daughter, Elnora Dresselhaus, of San Diego; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Lime Springs.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family locally.