Champion – Opal M. Arsenault, age 92, longtime resident of 30 Blue Rd., Michigamme Twp., went to be with the Lord on Saturday April 26, 2014 while in the presence of her family and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.  Opal had been a resident at the Mill Creek Assisted Living Facility for the past 4 ½ years.

Opal was born February 26, 1922 in Ishpeming the daughter of the late Lars and Emerilda (Carriere) Sundlie.  She and her family moved to Champion in 1924 when her parents purchased a grocery store.  She graduated in 1939 as Salutatorian of her Class from Champion High School.  Following graduation she worked for her parents who then owned a grocery store and restaurant.  In 1942 she married Donald Arsenault at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion and together they raised 4 children in Champion where they resided their entire married lives.  In 1952 Opal and Donald assumed the operation of the Village Market which they ran for 30 years.

Opal was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.  She was a member of and involved in many activities at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she had served as president of the altar society in her early years.  She participated in the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Republic and was affiliated with the Champion American Legion Aux. where she had served as president for several years.  Opal also enjoyed bowling in her younger years at the former Miracle Center Bowling Lanes in Ishpeming.

As a parent and grandparent Opal taught and showed her family the values of faith, hope and love.  Opal's favorite place was the family "camp", which later became their permanent residence on Lake Michigamme.  Many wonderful family memories were created having family meals, boating, swimming, waterskiing, fishing and roasting marshmallows on the dock at "camp".

Opal is survived by her children - Larry (Darlene) Arsenault of Champion; Mary (Terry) Hegman of Fountain Valley, CA; Paul (Sandra) Arsenault of Ishpeming.  Opal's grandchildren are – Tammy (Todd) Horton, Todd (Tina) Arsenault, Kimberly Arsenault, Damon (Kristen) Arsenault, Joy (John) Wainio, Chad Arsenault, Amy Hegman, Kevin Hamel, Anthony Hamel, Jason (Bobbi) Arsenault, Shannon (Beau) Bushong and Richard (Amanda) Arsenault, great grandchildren are Cole Horton, Calanne Horton, Lauren Arsenault, Matthew Arsenault, Christopher Kotkowicz, Jacob Kotkowicz, Alexis Kotkowicz, Dakota Arsenault, Kaden Arsenault, Gage Wainio, Grant Wainio, Julia Wainio, Gavin Wainio, Emmi Jo Hamel, Marina Burke, Braeden Arsenault, Darren Arsenault, Nicholas Bushong, Christopher Bushong and Adalyn Arsenault.  Opal is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Arsenault in 1997, daughter Joanne Hamel in 1991, sister Lois Narhi and brother Lawrence Sundlie.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 3:30pm – 5:30pm on Thursday May 1, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:30pm on Thursday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate.  Interment will take place at the Champion Cemetery.  A meal will be served in the church hall following the Mass.  Pallbearers will be Opal's grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice Foundation in Opal's memory.

Opal's family would like to thank the caregivers and employees of the Mill Creek Assisted Living for their compassionate care they had shown to Opal over the past 4 ½ years.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .