Obit: Opelt, Kevin C. #2 (1955 - 2007)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email:  audero@charter.net

Surnames: Opelt, Burfeind, Lindner, Rakovec, Zschernitz, Thoma, Fitzmaurice, McDonough

----Sources: Loyal TRG 14 November 2007

Opelt, Kevin C. #2 (10 OCT 1955 - 12 NOV 2007)

Kevin C. Opelt, 52, Neillsville, died on Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., with an 8 p.m. prayer service on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, and again from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, Nov. 15 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Neillsville, Wis. The Rev. Woodrow H. Pace will officiate. Providing music will be Ronald Resong, organist, and St. Mary’s Choir. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Neillsville, Wis. Honorary casket bearer will be David Keller. Casket bearers will be Gus Ewoldt, Brandon Nigon, Luke Nigon, Tyler Nigon, Bobby Thoma, Daniel Opelt, Paul Opelt and Tony Opelt.

Kevin Carl Opelt was born on Oct. 10, 1955, to Kenneth and Ruth (nee Burfeind) Opelt. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Grade School and Neillsville High School, graduating in 1973. After his schooling, he helped on the family farm, and was employed with Opelt’s Sand and Gravel in Neillsville operating the bulldozer. He married Donna Lindner on Oct. 2, 1982, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenwood. "Old Man River" as he was known by his family, loved watching the Green Bay Packers and watching racing, playing cards, going to the coffee shop in the morning, family trips to Oregon and the Black Hills, and fishing trips to Canada, Florida and Texas, but his main love was attending the many sporting events that his kids were involved in. He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Neillsville, Wis.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; seven children, Bridget (Ben) Rakovec, Loyal, Eric Opelt, Kelly Opelt, Holly Opelt, Sheila Opelt, Jillayne Opelt and Joshua Opelt, all of Neillsville; two grandchildren, Kyler and Kyra Rakovec; his father, Kenneth Opelt, Neillsville; 11 siblings, Steven (Pixie) Opelt, Neillsville, Eugene (Carol) Opelt, Neillsville, Gayle (Becky) Opelt, Grants Pass, Ore., Alan Opelt, Neillsville, Sarlene (Joel) Zschernitz, Neillsville, Rollin (Gail) Opelt, Neillsville, Dawn (Greg) Thoma, Neillsville, Russell (Jill) Opelt, Neillsville, Darla (Gary) Fitzmaurice, Neillsville, Douglas (Lori) Opelt, Neillsville and Donna (Paul) McDonough, Plum City; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Donald and Mary Ann Lindner, Greenwood.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Ruth; and two brothers, Keith Opelt and Glen Opelt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be designated at a later date.

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, is assisting the family with arrangements.