Opgaard, Vern (Uppy) Age 71 of Mpls., Preceded in death by his parents, a sister and his niece. A great man died December 21, 2013. A happy, jolly, upbeat, free spirit can finally be put to rest after a hard fought last few years of his life. A man whose smile and laugh could light up a room is now going to be lighting up the night's sky with his new journey into the afterlife. Uppy is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; children, Nadine (John) Melchior, James Opgaard, Terry Opgaard, Michelle Anderson; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Bonnie (Tom) Rossland; and many other relatives and friends.