Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Maria Aldia Reopelle, formerly of Red Lake Falls, MN, died at Oakland Park Communities, on September 21, 2021, at the age of 101.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 12:00 PM   at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert Officiating. Burial will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery at Terrebonne, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Maria was born Feb 7, 1920, in Gentilly, MN to parents Amie and Delia (Cota) Mercil.  She attended school in Gentilly.   She worked for a while at St. Vincent's Hospital in Crookston as a Nurse's aide.

She was united in marriage to Maurice Reopelle on October 30, 1939, at St. Peter's Church in Gentilly.  Maurice and Maria lived on the Reopelle family farm in Terrebonne Township south of Red Lake Falls, raising various animals and grains. Maria was a hardworking farm wife.  She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, and tending to her many flower beds and the always large family garden.  She also loved to make crafts of all kinds, crocheted many afghans, and made many beautiful quilts for her family and friends.

After a time on the farm, she went to work at St. John's Hospital as a Nurse's Aide.  Later she became the Central Supply Technician helping with surgery setup and cleanup.  She retired after 23 years at St. John's. She loved music, dancing, traveling and card playing with family.  She was also an avid MN Twins fan and rarely missed watching a game.  She would always say, "O they'll lose."

In September of 1996 Maurice and Maria moved to Thief River Falls.  They lived in the Riverside Terrace high-rise.  Maurice passed away on November 24, 2006. On November 26, 2016, Maria moved to Oakland Park Communities.

She was a member of St. Bernard's Church, Catholic Daughters, Order of Forrester's, St. Bernard's Quilting, Craft, and flowers clubs.

Survivors include: Son's Gary Reopelle, Oakland, CA, Dennis (Joan) Reopelle, Blaine, MN, daughter, Deborah (Darryl) Tveitbakk, of Thief River Falls.  Seven Grandchildren: Yvonne Reopelle, Brenda (Joseph) Kresky, Pam (Matt) Brown, Nathan (Joy) Reopelle, Christopher Tveitbakk, Nicholas Tveitbakk, Benjamin (Manuela) Tveitbakk.

Ten Great Grand Children and a Great Grandson, due near the end of October.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings and their spouses.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Oakland Park Communities for the loving care and kindnesses shown to Maria.  Also, many thanks to Fr. Rick Lambert and Fr. John Melkies, for their love and prayers.