Arvid J. Ophaug

At 67 years of age, Arvid Jay Ophaug died on May 23, 2022 of a heart attack/Covid at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

He was born May 28, 1954 in Grand Forks, ND.  Arvid was the second of four children born to Miles and Marlys (Molmen) Ophaug of McVille, ND.  Father to twin boys, who will miss him dearly, Adam Richard Ophaug and Aaron Miles Ophaug reside in Staples, MN.  Other surviving relatives include two sisters, Julie (Mrs. Michael) Burnett of Manassas, VA, and Beth (Mrs. Edroy) Monsebroten of McVille, ND; and one brother, Jeffrey Miles Ophaug of Thief River Falls, MN.  Also surviving are five nieces, Kylie Seidel, God-daughter Lindsey Burnett, Lacy Sterr, God-daughter Sarah Frederick, and Haley Monsebroten; five grand-nieces; one grand-nephew; two aunts; two uncles; and several first cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; ex-wife, Amy Aulich Pikarski; his grandparents; one aunt; two uncles; and 2 first cousins.

Growing up, Arvid actively participated in school life in McVille, ND.  He played the clarinet in the school band, attended Boys State, excelled in all sports including basketball, baseball, and was also the MVP for the 1971 football conference.  As co-salutatorian for his McVille graduating class of 1972, he excelled academically, as well.  He was married to Amy Aulich.  They worked on the family farm and became parents to identical twin sons, Adam and Aaron on June 18, 1982.  He farmed with his parents, his brother, Jeff, his sister Beth, brother-in-law, Dave, and Uncle Wayne for several years.  Later in life, he drove a truck for Transystems in Grand Forks, ND.  As a voracious reader, in his spare time, he also enjoyed music, socializing with friends, art, animals, vehicles, plus had a vast collection of eclectic items.  Growing up on the farm, we siblings had many fun days of exploring our rural surroundings.  I’m not sure our dad enjoyed our artistic talents, however, when we painted huge yellow splotches on his red rock picker.  He was baptized and confirmed at his home church of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, rural McVille, ND, so a memorial service will be held there on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at 1 PM. 

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