Orpha Rosella Steinwand

A service livestream will be available below starting at the time of the service. When the service becomes live, a play button will appear in the center of the black box, click the play button to view the service. With any issues, please refresh your page and/or turn up your volume. If issues persist, please contact the funeral home.

“If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.” -John 14:3

Orpha Steinwand, Bismarck and formerly of Ellendale, ND passed away February 26, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5^th, at Zion Lutheran Church, 121 2^nd St. S., Ellendale, ND.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 4 from at Touchmark Chapel, 1000 West Century Avenue, Bismarck with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.

Orpha Rosella was born to Carl and Julia (Peterson) Opdahl on February 15, 1930, at the family home in Marion, ND. She was welcomed by seven older sisters and joined by a baby brother two years later. Orpha attended grade school and high school in Marion and graduated in 1948. She attended college at the State Industrial School in Ellendale where she met her husband, Victor. She received her teaching certificate and spent several years teaching grade school in Beulah. She and Vic were married in a candlelight ceremony August 16, 1953, in Marion. After their marriage she returned to Ellendale where she and Vic spent the next 50+ years living, working and raising their family of five.

Music, fine dishes, pretty cards, hats, sports, and politics were Orpha’s passions. Her love for music was rooted early in life, singing and playing the piano with her family at home, at church, and at local events. Throughout her life she was involved in music.  She taught music for a time at Ellendale Public School, volunteered at music festivals, and led the senior citizens band and the weekly bell ringers at the Ellendale Nursing Facility and Evergreen Basic Care.  She also directed the adult choir at Zion Lutheran Church in Ellendale for over 40 years.

Orpha loved to entertain and always set a beautiful table with her unique collection of dishes, cups, and saucers.  She was known around town for always wearing a hat especially in her mid-adult years. Quite often people, especially students returning home, would ask her where her hat was if she was caught with a bare head. She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church and an active volunteer in the community, including the Hospital Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, and Music Boosters. She was a charter member of the Dakotah Club and was made a life-time honorary member. Orpha never missed any of her children’s music or sporting events and later enjoyed attending the activities of her 13 grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren. Orpha loved the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, and UND athletics. She felt it was important to stay informed of politics and local, national, and world events. She was also a huge fan of FOX News. Orpha was generous and never forgot the birthdays of family and friends, remembering them with beautiful cards. She was proud of her North Dakota roots and Norwegian heritage. In 2012, Orpha moved to Touchmark in Bismarck to be closer to her family. She enjoyed her sunny apartment, the staff, and the new friends she made there.  Her family is grateful for the care she received.

She is survived by her daughter, Victoria Pederson, Bismarck; granddaughter, Lindsay (Cody) Kostelecky and great-granddaughters, Cadence and Sydney; granddaughter, Brittany (Brian) Stuhlmiller and great grandsons, Kason and Kyler; daughter, Jennifer (Dr. Pat) Hezmall, Arlington, TX and grandsons, Hunter (Danielle) and Hayden; son, Todd (Shelly) Steinwand, Bismarck; granddaughter, Jill (Ben) Kringstad and great-granddaughters, Ella and Avery; Jessica (Mitchell) Smette; and grandson, Andrew (Maggie) Steinwand; son, Ned (Kelly) Steinwand, Blaine, MN; granddaughters, Haley (Brad) Beeskow and great-granddaughter Benson; and Natalie (Bryce) Duncan, and grandson, Samuel Steinwand; daughter, Allison (Mark) Van Dyk, Greenwood, IN; granddaughters, Elizabeth Howland, Mathilde Van Dyk, and grandsons, Christopher and Alexander Howland, and Pablo Van Dyk; sister, Velma Larson, Minneapolis; brother, Carl Opdahl and special friend, Valerie Johnson, Valley City, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Orpha was preceded in death by her loving husband, Victor R. Steinwand, who passed away in 2005; her parents and seven sisters.

Memorials may be sent to Zion Lutheran Church Choir, 121 2^nd Street South, Ellendale, ND 58436 or the Ellendale Opera House, P.O. Box 334, Ellendale, ND 58436.