Licole Jennifer Opdahl1966 – 2014Licole Jennifer Kanani (DeSmet) Opdahl, 47, of Prescott, Wisconsin, died unexpectedly Saturday, August 23rd, 2014 at United Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota from heart complications with family at her side.She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Robert Opdahl; her son, Nicholas Opdahl; her daughter, Olivia Opdahl; her Father, Larry DeSmet of Minneota, MN; her Mother, Jacquelyn Ray of Stonyford, CA; her brother, Lee DeSmet of Lakeville, MN; and her sister, Lorna (DeSmet) Langr of Farmington, MN; sister, Layne DeSmet, and brother Lott DeSmet.She was born November 17, 1966, in Sunnyvale, CA to Larry and Jacque (Pacheco) DeSmet. In 1975, her family moved to Fife, WA. The last move was in 1976, when her family moved to Grandfather William DeSmet’s Minneota, MN farm. Her father continues to farm there.Licole graduated from Minneota High School in 1984, with High Honors. She was united in marriage to Robert Opdahl, her high school sweetheart, August 16, 1986. They lived in Brookings, SD. In 1990 Licole graduated from South Dakota State University with her Master’s Degree in Dairy Manufacturing. After her graduation, they moved to the Twin Cities, MN. She worked at Land O’ Lakes, Michael Foods, and Dean Foods, holding Food Scientist and National Account Manager Positions. In 2007 Licole gave up her career to be at home, full time, as a mother. She also worked at home, part-time, for her husband’s engineering business.Licole was a 15 year heart transplant survivor. Over those years she donated countless hours helping other transplant recipients understand, and learn how to cope with, their new lives. In 2004 she won the American Heart Association’s annual “Everyday Hero Survivor” award. She fought her heart disease courageously, never burdening others with her health problems.Licole is a member of St. Joe’s Catholic Church. Her hobbies included anything that involved her children, gardening, and cooking. But most of all, she loved just spending time with family and friends.Licole was known for always greeting you with a warm smile, remembering your name, and making you feel very special. She always looked at the positive side of people and life. Licole was very generous with her time and possessions. You could always count on Licole. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a trusted kind friend.Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Prescott, WI is assisting the family with the arrangements.