DUESENBERG, Opal Balmat 1908 - 2004

DUESENBERG, NOAH, BALMAT, PEDELTY

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 11/23/2017 at 12:55:20

Opal Balmat Duesenberg, 96, of Clear Lake, died Monday, May 31, 2004 at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. A private graveside service will be held at the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa or Opportunity Village.

Opal was born March 9, 1908 in Mason City, the daughter of O.T. and Millie (Noah) Balmat. The family moved to Clear Lake in 1923. She attended Clear Lake High School and was a member of the basketball team. She graduated in 1926. She graduated from Hamilton Business College six months later.

Opal married Edgar M. Duesenberg from Garner, Iowa, on Dec. 31, 1927 in Clear Lake. After 10 years of living in different places, they moved back to Clear Lake in 1937, where she has since resided. She and her husband were charter members of the Clear Lake Christian Church, where she was treasurer for many years. They were co-owners and founders of the highway construction firm of E. M. Duesenberg, Inc. in 1935.

Opal was on the Girl Scout Council and involved in many civic, school and social activities. She was interested in both indoor and outdoor sports, both as participant and spectator.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Wayne; one grandson, Kirk Duesenberg and son-in-law, Holmes Pedelty.

She is survived by two sons; Arlen and his wife, Maxigene, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., Richard and his wife, Eunice, of Clear Lake, a daughter, Jane Pedelty, of Edina, Minn.; 13 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.