Obit: Opelt, Rudolph "Rudy" Charles #2 (1924 - 2005)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Opelt, Mack, Lipkie, Beyer, Teimer, Anderson, Eddy, Buchholz, Hornback, Schutte, Urlaub, Gutenberger

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) December 24, 2005

Opelt, Rudolph "Rudy" Charles (22 March 1924 - 23 Dec. 2005)

Rudolph 'Rudy' C. Opelt

NEILLSVILLE -- Rudy Opelt, 81, of Neillsville died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Rudolph Carl Opelt was born March 22, 1924, the son of Carl and Permilla (Mack) Opelt in Neillsville, Wis. Rudy graduated in 1944 from Neillsville High School. He worked for Neillsville Milk Products until he started farming in the town of Hewitt. He farmed for 35 years. During this time he also worked at the U.S. post office for 25 years. After his retirement from the post office, he worked part-time as a janitor for Neillsville City Hall until the time of his death. In 1945, he married Marcella Lipkie, they later divorced. On June 25, 1983, he married Theresa "Terrie" Beyer.

Rudy was a member of the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville, and served as their deacon for two years. He served on the Hewitt Town Board and sideboard for 18 years. He was a member of the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post No. 73 in Neillsville for more than 50 years. He was also a member of the Neillsville Men's Club, Lions Club and Snowmobile Club.

He enjoyed going camping up north, hunting, fishing, and he enjoyed playing cards and shaking dice with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Terrie; his children, Patricia (Ken) Reimer of Hortonville, Penny (Dan) Anderson of Appleton, Gary (Kelly) Opelt of Chetek, Cheryl (Hap) Eddy of Neillsville, Richard Opelt of Neillsville, Bruce (Barb) Opelt of Neillsville, Randy (Michelle) Opelt of Eau Claire, David Opelt of Neillsville, Rosemary Buchholz of Neillsville and Susan Hornback of Poynette; and 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Brothers and sisters surviving him are Robert (Dorothy) Opelt of Neillsville, Arnold (Delores) Opelt of Granton, Bernard (Hanna) Opelt of Christie, Kenneth Opelt of Neillsville, Donald (Sue) Opelt of Greenwood, Dale (Betty) Opelt of Neillsville, Evelyn (Don) Schutte of Neillsville, Jennie (Ben) Urlaub of Neillsville, Dorothy Gutenberger of Granton and Gordon "Butch" (Mary) Opelt of Neillsville, Wis.

Rudy is also survived by many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill; brother-in-law, Fritz Gutenberger; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Opelt.

Funeral services for Rudy will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville, Wis. Pastor Steven Wentz will officiate. Providing music will be Kathy Meshnick, organist and David Skiff, soloist. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at Gesche Funeral Home and again from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in East Weston Cemetery.

Serving as casketbearers will be his grandsons, Jim Eddy, Joe Eddy, Jason Eddy, Brian Opelt, Eric Opelt and Andrew Opelt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Living Hope Free Church, 7 Fairground Ave., Neillsville WI 54456.

Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Rudy's family with arrangements.

 

 


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