Opal Borner, age 85, of Miles City, Montana passed away on March 30, 2021.
Opal Wilma Zuern-Borner was born July 10, 1935 and adopted by Jacob and Wilma Zuern of Hazen ND. She went on to grow up in that small town and later go to college in Wahpeton for Nursing. She completed her residency in Watford City, ND where she met her first husband Tony Hawronsky. Opal was then blessed with four children, Stan, Stewart, Stacy, and Susan. In 1978, she married her second husband Maynard Borner and added two more children, Susan and Debbie, to her family. After many years in North Dakota, Opal & Maynard relocated to their forever home in Miles City. This is where she would spend the rest of her life working with her husband on the ranch. Her love for nursing inspired her to go back to work well into retirement. Opal was known for her kind heart and mischievous humor, so much class and fire in her small frame. Opal loved her family fiercely and decorated her home with pictures of her kids and grandkids accomplishments, always telling her grandkids “Just go have fun, go do it. I’ll tell your parents it’s okay.” Opal’s love and wisdom live on in all who were lucky enough to meet her.
Opal was preceded in death by Maynard Borner, Tony Hawronsky, and her parents Jacob and Wilma Zuern. She is survived by her children; Stacy (Darwin) Cooke, Susan (Al) Teigan, Stewart (Judy) Hawronsky, Stan Hawronsky, Susan (Forest) Pfliger, Debbie Bunny, as well as numerous grandkids and great grandkids.
A funeral will be held in Miles City, Montana on April 20th , 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held in Hazen, North Dakota on April 22nd, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hazen City Cemetery. Opal’s stories and fire live on in all who were lucky enough to meet her. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday April 20, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday April 22, 2021
Hazen City Cemetery
Hazen, North Dakota 58545
Share
Lori clark says
You will always have a special place in my heart opal !
Judy.. says
Oh my friend,you well be missed, all the times we went down the road and back,we had lots of visiting time and alot of story’s to tell.one more angel in heaven ..RIP my friend
Peggy says
Opal, I will never forget you and working with you at FV. To the family, I will say some prayers for you.
Robin Wolff says
I’m really going to miss you my friend I enjoyed working with you at the Friendship Villa all those years. Now go dance with Maynard and do your own Molly B Polka. Love you my friend.
Bobbi Ruff says
Oh Opal how i will miss your spunky personality. I loved working with you at FV. You be be missed, prayers for the family. Rest in peace my friend!
Margo Hellickson says
Rest in Peace Opal. I so enjoyed working with you at the Villa. Always dressed professionally in your white with the sparkly earrings I always said you should give to me. Your care for the residents was outstanding. You and Maynard are now together again ,dancing and you can enjoy your heavenly brown cows. You will be missed by many of us. Heaven has gained a spunky nurse to keep things in order.
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Opal will be missed. She took such good care of my Dad when he was in Friendship Villa and she kept in touch with me all through his stay, she always ca!led if there was a problem. We have kept in touch all this time. She was a hard worker and a go getter. RIP Maynard will be waiting
Audrey Haumschild says
RIP Opal was just talking about you and Maynard on Thursday. You were a great Nurse and always had great visits ❤
Shirley Byrne says
Opal you were a very special person. I enjoyed working with you for many years. You always were willing to go above and beyond for the residents, coworkers and the facility. I always looked forward to you telling me about the newest piece of jewelry you just put on lay away! Rest In Peace and dance away with Maynard.
Deb Jerrel says
I truly enjoyed working with you sweet opal. You were such a kick in the pants. You were truly an asset to the Friendship Villa. Rest in peace my dear..💜💜💜
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Opal’s family: Opal was a friend that will always be remembered for her spark, her caring and her love of dancing with Maynard. May your hearts fill with good memories during this time of grief.
Barbara Beeler says
Opal, you will be missed by so many. Loved working with you and all the advice you gave me. Go dance the night away. RIP my friend.
Wyatt Glade says
Pumpkin Creek won’t be the same without Opal! My sympathy to the family, she was a good neighbor, and a fun lady to visit with.
Jean Jones says
I will so miss her smile and jovial humor. God Bless
Mary Ottoy says
Rest In Peace Opal. You and Maynard are now together! My heartfelt sympathies to the family.
Kathy Abarr says
I met you at the funeral of my Uncle Lorin Abarr. You, Maynard and your daughter came in hopes of seeing my father – Don Abarr – there. I was very touched by the deep joy the two of you had when you saw my father. You then came to his service in Edgar when he passed in 2016. That is what friendship is. Taking the time to celebrate those we care about. Thank You SO VERY MUCH for showing me how much you cared about my father. Your spunk and vitality were contagious. When we “re-met” at the cemetery in Edgar you again touched my heart – putting your hand on your hip and cocking your head to the side until I recognized you. I really enjoyed the conversations we had. So wish I had called more often! I woke up this AM thinking I would call today only to learn you have both gone to “The Big Open”. As my dad wrote in his book – “To all the Cowboys I’ve worked with, it’s been a pleasure.” “To all my friends, I’ve enjoyed it all.” “So long!” “I’ll see ya on the trail.” May you be seeing Maynard and my dad on the trail now and may I one day – in the distant future – see you there as well. Love and Blessings to your family as I can only imagine the holes in their hearts. May wonderful memories of you fill them. You were a bright light on this earth.
Lonnie Coons says
Will miss my sister. thou we didn’t meet till later in life, it still was a joy to know her. She was so like her birth mother in many ways. I know she is with Maynard now and that is were she wanted to be.
Loved her. Lonnie
Gregory Mohl says
Stanley, Stacey, Stewart and Susan, so sorry to hear of Opal’s passing. She was a second Mom to so many of us in the neighborhood growing up, so much character and personality. Truly one-of-a-kind. So many fond memories around hanging out with you guys and Opals Cadillac’s and chihuahuas! Lot’s of Love to you all from the Mohl Family.
Greg Mohl
Marlus Amsden says
Opal was a joy to work with. Many evenings we would sit and visit when all the work was done. After she retired I would see her at the store and she would tell me all of the things that were going on in her life. She always had a smile and a hearty joke. Join Maynard and Uncle Leo up in heaven. I know that you will keep them both in line.
Patricia Ward says
Thoughts and prayers for your family, Opal. May you rest in peace.
Kelly Borlaug says
Yes she was a fine lady who treated us kids with friendship and caring. She was the leader of the “pack” who raised a GREAT Family of kids. Oh the memories and fun times back in good ol’ Hazen. You will be missed Opal and Thank you for sharing your life with us. Thoughts are with you, Stan, Stewart, Stacey, and Susan.
kathy tague says
As Opel’s cousin later in life it was such a pleasure to have met her and spend some quality time with her. Your spunk and cheerfulness will be missed. She was such a special lady and will never be forgotten. Love you
Ottie Lou Hagen says
Ottie Lou Hagen says
Found out we had the same birthday in July just seven years apart, a cousin I didn’t meet till many years later. Loved the time we did have. Will miss you and
Maynard, we had so much fun at the Polka Fest with Mom & Dad.
Many awesome memories. Rest in peace!