Obit: Opelt, Hanna Marie (1928 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Opelt, Harder, Hediger, Wirtz, Anding, Godres, Schroeder, Hediger, Schutte, Urlaub, Knoop, Gutenberger, Ormond, Schwellenbach

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2022

Opelt, Hanna Marie (15 November 1928 – 12 September 2022)

Hanna Opelt, age 93, of De Pere, died Monday, September 12, 2022, at Rennes Health and Rehab.

Hanna Marie Opelt was born on November 15, 1928, in Neillsville the daughter of Herman and Hanna (Harder) Hediger. She attended Neillsville schools. On May 22, 1946, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Bernard Lee Opelt. Hanna and Bernie farmed together at two locations until 1966. After the sale of the farm, they bought a milk route with Bernie doing the delivery and Hanna serving as the bookkeeper. Hanna and Bernie also spent many hours gardening and preserving their food. They were beautiful dancers and enjoyed many opportunities to join with family and friends at dances. She loved her family dearly, provided daycare for her grandchildren and spent many hours making memories with us that we will all treasure.

Hanna had many friends and was always ready to lend a helping hand, make a meal, or simply sit and visit with them. She was blessed to have a large group of close friends, and she valued each and every one of those friendships. Fran Ormond and Kathy Schwellenbach were good and faithful friends especially following her move to DePere, and hold a special place in our hearts for their lasting friendship to her. Hanna was a member of the Happy Homemakers, a bowling team, two card playing groups, the United Church of Christ in Neillsville and First United Church of Christ in Green Bay, with a couple of these commitments lasting over 50 years.

She is survived by her daughter Lori (Ken) Wirtz of DePere; four grandchildren, DJ (Carly) Anding of Madison, Honneli (Matt) Godres of DePere, Bernie (Amanda) Anding of Cedarburg, and Kegan Wirtz of DePere. She is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, Rowan, Archer, Nora, Maggie, and Camille Anding, Eli, Bodie, and Stella Godres, siblings and siblings in-law Meg Schroeder, Arlene Hediger, Fritz (Dixie) Hediger, Evelyn Schutte, Jan Opelt, Dale (Betty) Opelt, Donnie (Sue Opelt), Jennie (Ben) Urlaub, and Mary Opelt.

She was welcomed into heaven by her loving husband Bernard, her parents Herman and Hanna Hediger, her parents-in-law Carl and Millie Opelt, and her children, Marie Louise and Brenda Lee Opelt and two infants, her grandson Nicholas Wirtz, her great granddaughter Scarlett Anding, siblings and siblings in law Herman and Kurt Hediger, Rosemarie (Bob) Knoop, Robert (Dorothy) Opelt, Arnie (Delores) Opelt, Rudy Opelt, Mardy Opelt, Kenny (Ruth) Opelt, Bill Opelt, Dorothy (Dottie) Gutenberger, Fritz Gutenberger, Gordon (Butch) Opelt, Don Schutte, and Art Schroeder.

Her family wishes to extend a special thank you to caregivers Becky, Melinda, Lori, and Melissa, physical therapists Amy, Jane, and Lindsay and the team at Rennes Health and Rehab and Renaissance Assisted Living for the loving care they gave to Hanna.

Funeral Services for Hanna will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 17 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Interment will be in the Marie Louise Chapel Cemetery in Christie, WI. Visitation will be from noon to the time of service on Saturday, September 17 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville.

A livestream of Hanna’s funeral service can be viewed at www.geschefh.com  beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 17th.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Hanna’s family with Funeral arrangements.