Obit: Opelt, Gordon L. “Butch” (1944 – 2014)
Contact:
stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Opelt, Mack, Vogelman, Zickert, Kren, Boyer, Schuette, Urlaub,
Gutenberger
----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 03 Dec 2014
Opelt, Gordon L. “Butch” (4 FEB 1944 – 27 NOV 2014)
Gordon L. “Butch” Opelt, 70, Neillsville, died on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at
the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville. A visitation will be held from 11
a.m.-3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. A
celebration of Butch’s life will be held at the Neillsville American Legion
beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Drinks and a light meal will be
available during this time. Butch’s family will arrive at 3 p.m.
Gordon Leonard Opelt was born on Feb. 4, 1944, in Neillsville, the son of Carl
and Permilla (nee Mack) Opelt. He attended grade school in the town of Levis and
Neillsville High School. He then moved to Racine and worked at Hamilton Beach.
While in Racine, he met his wife-to-be, Mary Vogelman. They were married on Dec.
23, 1965, in Neillsville. They lived in Racine until the spring of 1966, when
they moved to Neillsville and Butch worked for his father Carl’s sand and gravel
company. In 1972, he and his brothers Dale, Kenny and Bill took over ownership
of their father’s business (Opelt Brothers). In 1996, Butch and his sons took
over ownership of the sand and gravel business and named it Opelt Sand and
Gravel. Butch loved racing, often driving a race car at the local tracks. He
enjoyed playing cards and hunting, going to Florida in the winter and going for
motorcycle rides. He was a member of the Neillsville Lion’s Club and the
Neillsville Men’s Club.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; four children, Scott (Tara) Opelt, Merrillan,
Mike (Shari Zickert) Opelt, Neillsville, Tina (Todd) Bjurquist, Plum City, and
Carl (Brandy) Opelt, Neillsville; 14 grandchildren, Mindy (Adam) Kren, Nick
Opelt, Tia Opelt, Marah Boyer, Tanner Opelt, Alex Boyer, Devon Opelt, Taylor
Opelt, Torrie Opelt, Montana Opelt, Keesha Opelt, Lilly Opelt, Logan Opelt and
Brailey Opelt; two great-grandchildren, Harper Rose Opelt and Kennedy Rose Kren;
nine siblings, Robert Opelt, Neillsville, Arnold Opelt, Granton, Bernard (Hanna)
Opelt, Green Bay, Kenneth Opelt, Neillsville, Evelyn (Don) Schuette,
Neillsville, Donald (Sue) Opelt, Greenwood, Dale (Betty) Opelt, Neillsville,
Jennie (Ben) Urlaub, Neillsville, and Dorothy Gutenberger, Lynn; and two
sisters-in-law, Jan Opelt, Neillsville, and Terrie Opelt, Neillsville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rudy Opelt and Bill
Opelt; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Opelt, Delores Opelt and Ruth Opelt; and a
brother-in-law, Fritz Gutenberger.
Online condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com.
The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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