Opal Therkildsen Peavler
January 5, 1911 — April 2, 2010
Opal Lucinda Peavler, daughter of George and Mary (Carlson) Adams, was born January 5, 1911 in Kirkman, Iowa. She attended school in Kirkman and graduated from Kirkman High School. Opal knitted a sweater for a grateful World War I soldier as pictured on the cover when she was in second grade at age 7. Opal�s family later made their home in Harlan.
On February 18, 1931, Opal was united in marriage to Glen A. Therkildsen in Harlan, Iowa. They were the parents of one ornery son, Charles George Therkildsen in 1937. In 1950, Glen died after an accidental fall from a ladder. Opal continued to make her home in Harlan while working as a retail clerk. Opal then moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she entered nurses training at Jennie Edmundson Hospital where she completed her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
On August 19, 1954, Opal was united in marriage to Ernie Peavler in Council Bluffs, Iowa while both were employed at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Opal and Ernie later retired to Ernie�s hometown of Triplett, Missouri. Not long after Ernie�s death, Opal yearned to return to live in her hometown of Harlan.
Opal was very active all her life. In addition to being a nurse, she was a member of the United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Builders Class. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than fifty years where she served as a Worthy Matron. She was still active in many clubs: Knitters, CC Club, Tuesday Morning Coffee Klutch at Mickels and just loved to be out and about with Rosie when weather permitted.
She died on April 2, 2010, at the Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan having attained the age of ninety-nine years, two months and twenty-eight days. In addition to her parents and husbands, Opal was preceded in death by her sister June and brothers Lloyd and Roy Adams.
Opal is survived by her son, C. G. "Turk" Therkildsen and his wife Joyce of Inverness, Illinois; her granddaughters: DeAnne and her husband Tom Prochnow of Bloomington, Illinois and Debbi and her husband Rich Peterson of Elburn, Illinois; her great grandchildren: Chelsie, Charlie and Curtis Prochnow and Austin and Alyssa Peterson; four generations of nieces and nephews and special friends Rosie and her husband Don Thraen of Harlan. She is also survived by her constant and beloved Snowshoe Siamese kitten companion, Samantha. Opal always believed an angel sent Samantha to her via the Forever Homes Animal Shelter.
Funeral services were held 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa and officiated by Dr. Rev. David Swinton. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan with Charlie Prochnow, Curtis Prochnow, Tom Prochnow, Austin Peterson, Rich Peterson and Don Thraen serving as casket bearers.
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On February 18, 1931, Opal was united in marriage to Glen A. Therkildsen in Harlan, Iowa. They were the parents of one ornery son, Charles George Therkildsen in 1937. In 1950, Glen died after an accidental fall from a ladder. Opal continued to make her home in Harlan while working as a retail clerk. Opal then moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she entered nurses training at Jennie Edmundson Hospital where she completed her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
On August 19, 1954, Opal was united in marriage to Ernie Peavler in Council Bluffs, Iowa while both were employed at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Opal and Ernie later retired to Ernie�s hometown of Triplett, Missouri. Not long after Ernie�s death, Opal yearned to return to live in her hometown of Harlan.
Opal was very active all her life. In addition to being a nurse, she was a member of the United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Builders Class. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than fifty years where she served as a Worthy Matron. She was still active in many clubs: Knitters, CC Club, Tuesday Morning Coffee Klutch at Mickels and just loved to be out and about with Rosie when weather permitted.
She died on April 2, 2010, at the Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan having attained the age of ninety-nine years, two months and twenty-eight days. In addition to her parents and husbands, Opal was preceded in death by her sister June and brothers Lloyd and Roy Adams.
Opal is survived by her son, C. G. "Turk" Therkildsen and his wife Joyce of Inverness, Illinois; her granddaughters: DeAnne and her husband Tom Prochnow of Bloomington, Illinois and Debbi and her husband Rich Peterson of Elburn, Illinois; her great grandchildren: Chelsie, Charlie and Curtis Prochnow and Austin and Alyssa Peterson; four generations of nieces and nephews and special friends Rosie and her husband Don Thraen of Harlan. She is also survived by her constant and beloved Snowshoe Siamese kitten companion, Samantha. Opal always believed an angel sent Samantha to her via the Forever Homes Animal Shelter.
Funeral services were held 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa and officiated by Dr. Rev. David Swinton. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan with Charlie Prochnow, Curtis Prochnow, Tom Prochnow, Austin Peterson, Rich Peterson and Don Thraen serving as casket bearers.
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