WINIFRED GOPLEN

WINIFRED GOPLEN

Winifred Olson Goplen, age 97, passed away peacefully at the Griggs County Care Center on December 18, 2023. Winifred was born to Emil and Rowena (Rinde) Olson on February 6, 1926, and attended the Binford school. Because of her father’s illness, after her high school graduation at age 17 she stayed in Binford for one year to manage the First National Bank of Binford.  She subsequently attended Concordia College in Moorhead MN, graduating in 1948.  After teaching for one and a half years in Atwater, MN, she returned to Binford to work at the First National Bank of Binford and was later named President.  She continued working there until the bank was sold in January 1954.

Winifred married Joel Goplen on November 26, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church. As a lifelong resident of Binford, Winifred participated in many church and civic organizations.  As an only child, Winifred treasured her immediate and extended family and loved spending time with them.  She enjoyed gardening and was an exceptional baker.  Each cookie, krumkake, and sandbakkle was baked with love and savored by her family and friends.  Winifred’s passion was travel; she would save her loose coins in a large jar to save up for her next trip. Winifred and Joel traveled throughout the United States and had several trips abroad, including three trips to Norway.  She enjoyed Joel’s wit, and they shared laughter daily.

Winifred found her competitive spirit late in life with mini-golf (causing her to remark, “I could have been a professional golfer!”) and as an avid Mexican Train dominoes player. She continued to play the piano into her 97^th year and was an accompanist for birthday celebrations and church services.  As a 52-year cancer survivor, she met her daily challenges with courage. The kindness and gratitude she exhibited despite her own physical limitations left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Winifred is survived by three children: David (Mary) Goplen, St. Paul, MN; Cynthia (Michael Roos) Goplen, Plymouth, MN; and Susan (Kevin Broveleit) Goplen, Seattle, WA.  Winifred is also survived by six grandchildren:  Sarah (Ryan) Snell, Emily (Scott) Halbrader, Erik Roos, Alex (Leah Meyer) Roos, Dora Broveleit, and Joelle Broveleit.  Winifred was also proud of and grateful for her six great grandchildren: Soren, Elsa and Kjerstin Snell and Elizabeth, David and Bennett Halbrader. Other survivors include nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband of 57 years, Joel.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2024 in Binford. 

Memorials preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford, Red Willow Bible Camp, CMC Foundation in Cooperstown, or the American Cancer Society.