Carroll Opdahl

Westhope

Carroll Opdahl, age 75 of Westhope, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025 at a Minot hospital. His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Westhope. Visitation will be on Wednesday starting at 5:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at the Mouse River Cemetery near Landa. In lieu of flowers, Carroll would prefer donations to Mouse River Church/Cemetery.

Carroll Opdahl, 75, of Westhope, ND peacefully passed away December 12, 2025 with his family by his side (although Carroll said he was going kicking and screaming) at Trinity Medical Center in Minot ND.

Carroll Ivan Opdahl was born in Westhope ND, to Carl and Irene (Carlson) Opdahl on Jan. 20, 1950. He had two older brothers, Rodney and Jerry. Carroll was raised on the family farm along the Mouse River just off Highway 5. He rode the bus to school in Westhope ND, graduating in 1968.

In his younger years Carroll worked for some of the local farmers. He was employed with Pride Dairy of Bottineau and also worked in the oil field for a time. In 1973 he started working with his cousin at the Farmers Union Fertilizer Plant in Westhope. Carroll became manager of the plant and worked there until it was sold to the Bottineau Farmers Elevator.

In 1975 Carroll married Barbara (Tolstad) Dietrich. He became an instant father to Barbara’s six children who all called him Dad. They later added two more children to complete their family.

In 2005 Carroll and his wife, Barbara purchased the local grocery store. For 10 years, they ran the store, which included a bakery and meat department. Together they served the community with dedication and care.

Carroll was a witty, fun loving man. He was full of fun and enjoyed his friends and family, pulling a fast one on any one of them when he had the chance.

He played lead guitar and sang with his aunt and uncle, Scottie and Thelma Thompson, Cindy & the Turtle Mountain Boys. They played at several of the local establishments, earning as much as $45 each a night.

He loved to play cards, especially pinochle, and go for coffee at the Gateway with the guys from work. Carroll also loved golfing. He was tickled to win a golf cart in 2009 after buying the very last ticket! He was a master carpenter and loved woodworking of any kind. His family all have treasures from their dad.

All summer, Carroll could be seen on his mower by anyone passing by the farm. Mowing in the hot summer sun was his favorite chore (hobby). He was very proud of his farm.

Carroll was a very active member of the Westhope community – he was a lifetime member of Mouse River Lutheran Church of rural Landa where he also served on the Board of Directors there, a position he took very seriously. He served as Trustee at First Presbyterian Church for several years, was a member of the Westhope Ambulance crew for 25 years, the Westhope School Board and the Richburg Township board.

Carroll’s loving family includes his wife of 50 years, Barbara, sons Dorian (Kami) Dietrich, Scott (Holly) Dietrich, Kirk (Amy) Dietrich, Mitchell Opdahl (girlfriend Heidi) and daughters Shawn Dietrich (Gary) Zahn, Angela Dietrich (Wally) Renfrow, Kari Dietrich (Randy) Warner and Kimberly Opdahl (David) Roberts. He is survived by 22 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and his favorite pet, Annie the miniature Schnauzer.

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents Carl & Irene, and brothers Jerry and Rodney, and one great-grand daughter, Rory Pearl Van Dyke and a niece, Jenna Tolstad; mother & father In-Law Raymond & Minnie Tolstad; sister-in-law – Olivia Gotvaslee, brothers-in-law, Sherman Tolstad and Everett Grosgebauer.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 16, 2025.