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W. Sigurd and Goldie Opdahl Family Papers

Finding Aid

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Collection Summary

Identifier

MA 87

Title

W. Sigurd and Goldie Opdahl Family Papers

Creator

William Sigurd Opdahl and Goldie Opdahl

Dates

1943

Extent

0.21 linear feet (1 small document case)

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item. W. Sigurd and Goldie Opdahl Family papers. MA 87. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

Correspondence between W. Sigurd Opdahl and his wife, Goldie Opdahl while W. Sigurd worked at an airplane factory in California during World War II.

Biographical Note

William Sigurd Opdahl, descendant of Hogen and Mathilda Opdahl, married Goldie Burgeson, a school teacher, in 1920. She was a descendant of Arthur and Angie Burgeson of Bryant. They farmed on the Opdahl homestead for a time, later moving to the Byron Sour farm four miles west of Hayti, South Dakota.

In 1929, they moved into Hayti. Sig farmed in Hayti and Opdahl Townships, was a school bus driver, worked on the railroad for a short time, worked in a California factory during World War II, and was employed at the Hamiln County Coop Oil until retirement.

Goldie taught school in rural Bryant and Hayti areas, drove school bus, and was employed at the Hayti Post Office, and in local grocery stores.

They had two daughters, Lou Ellen (Mrs. Floyd Johnson) and Nona (Mrs. James Amerson.

William Sigurd died on May 10, 1975. Goldie died on May 6, 1996.

Contents Note

This collection is composed of one file folder of correspondence between W. Sigurd Opdahl and his wife, Goldie Opdahl while W. Sigurd worked at an airplane factory in California during World War II. It details his journey to Long Beach, California and his work in the airplane factory. She writes about the daily activities in Hayti, S.D. Also included is a letter from his daughter Lou Ellen Johnson. The letters are photocopies of the originals.

Related Resources

Hamlin County, 1878-1979
Hamlin Historical Committee. 1979
Call number: SD Collection F657.H3 H32

Mathiesen
N. Proue and. L.E. Johnson. Hayti, S.D., 1988.
Call number: SD Collection CS71.M37 M37 1988

Key Words

Letters

Johnson, Lou Ellen Opdahl

Opdahl, Goldie Clair Burgeson

Opdahl, William Sigurd

World War II

Container List

View container list on Open Prairie

W. Sigurd and Goldie Opdahl Family Papers Container List. MA 87

Box Folder Description Date(s)
1 1 Correspondence 1943 November 21- December 7

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, 2017 October 30, 2017