Celia Opperman 1928-2009

CUMMINGS, OPPERMAN, SMITH, WARD, HAMMOND, HILSENBECK, HUTCHINSON, TURNER

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 5/31/2009 at 19:47:42

Celia Opperman, 80, of Fayette, Iowa, died Friday evening, May 15, 2009, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, West Union, following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Strawberry Point. Officiating will be Pastor Rusty Phillips.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Strawberry Point.

Interment will be in Cass Township Cemetery, Strawberry Point. Casket bearers will be Joe Opperman, John Opperman, Kenny Hammond, Layne Hilsenbeck, Cody Opperman, Drew Opperman, Chris Opperman, Darren Hilsenbeck and Michael Opperman.

Celia (Cummings) Opperman was born July 11, 1928, near Volga City in Clayton County. She was the daughter of Owen and Nettie (Smith) Cummings.

Raised and educated in the area, Celia graduated from Fayette High School in 1945. After attending Upper Iowa College for two years, she taught for one year.

On Dec. 22, 1946, Celia was united in marriage with Richard Opperman in Strawberry Point. Seven children were born to this union. The Oppermans farmed near Strawberry Point, Stanley, Fayette, Wadena, and then back to the Fayette area. After Richard's death on July 18, 2006, Celia remained on the farm.

In addition to her husband, Richard, Celia was preceded in death by her parents; three infant grandchildren; a brother, Hugh Cummings; and a sister, Sarah Ward.

Survivors include her seven children, Jim (Darlene) Opperman of Fayette, David (Patty) Opperman of Wadena, Diana (Rick) Hammond of Fredericksburg, Bill (Sherrie) Opperman of Mead, Colo., Rose (Fred) Hilsenbeck of Arlington, Bob (Sue Anne) Opperman of Wadena, and Dennis (Debra) Opperman of Fayette; 20 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Laverle Hutchinson of Greenland, Texas, and Leota (Carroll) Turner of Sumner.

Fayette County Union - 20 May 2009