Doolittle, Opal (1920-2016)

DOOLITTLE, CARPENTER, BROWN, CHEYNE, WILLIAMS, SMITH, GORDON

Posted By: Colleen J Ossman (email)
Date: 2/6/2017 at 20:02:08

Webster City Freeman Journal
Oct 19, 2016

Opal Doolittle, 96, of Webster City, died October 18, 2016 at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City with Father Stephen Meyer officiating. Burial will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Williams. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the church with a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Service.

Opal Josephine Carpenter was born August 28, 1920 in Vernon Center, MN, the daughter of Peter and Alpha (Brown) Carpenter. The family later moved to a farm located north of Blairsburg. Opal graduated from Blairsburg High School in 1938. She married Donald F. Doolittle on July 21, 1942 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City. The couple lived in Salem, OR for a few years before returning to the Doolittle family farm south of Blairsburg where they farmed for many years. Two sons were born to the couple, Dennis and Royal. Opal enjoyed her role as a full-time farm homemaker and mother and was very active in community and church affairs. She served as President of both the Blairsburg PTA and Music Mothers organizations. While a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church in Williams, Opal served as President of the local Guild and served as an officer at the Deanery level. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters in Webster City. She served as President of the Hamilton County Farm Bureau Ladies and was a Past President of the Webster City Women’s Club. When her family was raised, Opal achieved a life-long goal when she returned to school and became a licensed beautician. She worked in the profession for 15 years.

Opal is survived by her husband of 74 years, Don Doolittle, sons, Dennis (Pam) and Royal Doolittle, all of Webster City; grandchildren, Eric (Krystal) Doolittle of Williams, Grant (Molly) Doolittle of Ames, Anne (Brad) Cheyne of Webster City, Joe (Amy) Doolittle of Ames, Kirsten (Chris) Williams of Dubuque, Susie (Kirk) Smith of Blockton, and Royal Doolittle II of Florida; great-grandchildren, Paige, Brooklyn, Callum, Ali, Katherine, Charlotte, Clara, Truman, Winston, Stella, Chloe, Nolan, Benjamin, Tommy, Peter, Cora, Sam, and Josie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law , Mike and Beth Carpenter; sister, Glendon Gordon; and grandson, Dirk Doolittle.

Write a personal tribute for the family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.