White, Lillian Marie (Opat) 1928 - 2015

WHITE, OPAT, LINDERMAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/16/2015 at 14:49:27

Lillian Marie White, “Lilly” went home to be with Jesus on the night of January 14, 2015. She was surrounded by her loving family who gently bid her, “so long” but never good bye. As she made her transition from this world to the next, she was enveloped by the sweet sound of her precious granddaughters serenading her with the same song she so often sang to them as they grew, “You are my Sunshine”. The look of peaceful release on her face as she drew her last breath will never be forgotten and holds promise of what is to come for those surviving her. As a woman of powerful faith in the one true God, Lilly believed, as do her loved ones, that this separation is but temporary… having eternity together in heaven is very much looked forward to. Lilly was born in Schley, Iowa on July 16, 1928 to Frank and Olena Opat. Though she grew up impoverished by worldly standards, she was nonetheless rich in spirit and love. This wealth remained all the days of her life and followed her to heaven. Lillian lived and farmed near Cresco most of her life. She and her husband Kenneth made a hard move in their later years to be closer to their son and his family. She ended her days in the West Union area. In more recent years, the staff and residents of the Ossian Senior Hospice became family, tending to her with love and care as she entered the final leg of her life journey. Lilly told many stories of growing up “working like a man”, alongside her “daddy” on the farm, assisting her mother in the home, and engaging in exploits, of course sometimes making trouble, with her beloved brothers and sisters. Her love and appreciation for her childhood family never dulled with time. At a young age, Lilly became a mother to the first of her two precious boys, Robert Linderman, “Berta”. After that marriage came to a necessary end, she met her true life partner, and married, Kenneth Allen White. Together they brought into the World their son Roger Allen, whom Lilly affectionately called “Tweety”. There are no words adequate enough to express the deep and abiding love Lillian felt for her husband and children. They were the delights of her heart and loves of her life! From this rich and very deep well she poured out the same affection on her daughter-in-law Tammy and beloved granddaughters Brenda, Richelle, Nicolette, Renessa, Michelle and Kelly Rae. Never one to let her well run dry, as her grandsons-in-law, Tom, Daryl, Ryan, Adan and Adam entered into the family and her many great-grandchildren made their steady arrivals, the twinkle in her eyes only grew brighter and her heart bigger! Throughout her adult life, Lillian tended the fields, drove crops to market, managed farm chores, milked cows, ran her home and reared her boys. She worked tirelessly alongside her husband Kenneth just as she did her daddy, “like a man”. Kenneth proudly remembers her as someone who “worked hard all her life.” When he speaks of her it is not as a “farm wife” but as a true farmer, an equal to him. He specifically recalls the year that she drove 130 loads of corn and soybeans to town during harvest season. Farming was certainly in Lillian’s blood. After she and Kenneth retired she found an emptiness in her heart that could only be filled by more hard work! Lillian realized she had much left to offer the farming world and sought employment within local operations. The farmers who hired her became like family. They blessed her with the opportunity to continue milking and caring for her precious cows, though on a much larger scale! At one point, she proudly milked 300 cows! All while caring for three of her great-grandchildren, much as she had their mother and aunts when they were young. Even though work took up so much of her life, Lilly always found time for church, family and friends. Civic minded and with a patriotic spirit, she was involved in the VFW auxiliary and wore her dress blues proudly. In fact, she served two terms as Commander in the Cresco branch of the auxiliary. Her husband Kenneth, a WWII veteran and son Roger, a Vietnam veteran, both served our country through the US Army. Their dedication was the catalyst in her heart pushing her service to veterans forward. Aside from being a hard worker, Lillian had an indomitable spirit and an undying, boundless zest for life. Her quick wit, sense of humor and infectious laughter could not be matched or squashed. Lillian was generous in spirit and humble of heart. None knew this better than her maker who predestined her to be one of His brightest lights…one who would draw others near, and somehow keep them there. Though Lillian’s light never faded, this World has somehow dimmed without her in it. Lillian was undoubtedly a caregiver by nature. She had a servant’s heart that could not be eased without somehow loving on others. The people in her life, as well as the critters she tended, were the beneficiaries of this magnificent woman’s heart and self-less love. Though she loved her family and friends well, Lillian’s heart and soul was with Jesus. It was out of the abundance of His love for her, and her love for him, that she was able to love others. Lillian was a voracious reader of the written word of God, the Holy Bible. His words were written on her heart and tattooed on her mind. She was a true prayer warrior in every sense of the word, blanketing her friends and loved ones with God’s protection as she interceded on their behalf, daily and without ceasing. Lillian grasped what others often sadly miss… God is alive, ever present and longing for a personal, saving relationship with each of us. Lillian is survived by her husband Kenneth, son Roger (Tammy), six granddaughters, grand sons-in-law, great-grandchildren, her remaining siblings, numerous nieces and nephews and too many friends to count! She was preceded in death by her parents, a few of her siblings and her beloved son, Robert. It is with heavy but full hearts that those who love Lillian say a final, “See you later alligator!” and wait patiently for her certain response…”After while crocodile.”

Visitation:
10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, January 19, 2015 at Lindstrom Funeral Home, 119 2nd Ave SW, Cresco, Iowa 52136

Service:
11:00 am on Monday, January 19, 2015 at Lindstrom Funeral Home, 119 2nd Ave SW, Cresco, Iowa 52136

Cemetery:
at Oak Lawn Cemetry, Cresco, Iowa.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

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