Opat, Christopher 1981 - 2010
OPAT, GOODLAXSON, FOLSTAD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/28/2016 at 15:58:54
Spc. Christopher Opat, 29, of Lime Springs, Iowa, died June 15, 2010 while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army in Baqubah, Iraq.
Christopher Wesley Opat was born in Jefferson City, Mo. on April 15, 1981, the son of Leslie and Mary (Goodlaxson) Opat. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at Lourdes, Iowa. Chris moved with his family to the Lime Springs/Cresco area about a year after his birth. He attended Notre Dame grade school and graduated from Crestwood High School in 2000. He then earned an Associate degree from Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003, completed his basic and Advanced Individual Training, and was previously stationed at Babenhausen, Germany. He was presently assigned to Troop D, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He loved the Army and was serving his third tour for Iraqi Freedom at the time of his death.
When Chris’ grandfather was living, he liked to go fishing with him. He was an avid Hawkeyes fan who loved to watch the Hawkeyes play both football and basketball. He also enjoyed cooking and liked to create his own recipes. He was a loving son, brother and uncle. He was a gentle person with an adventurous spirit.
He is survived by his parents, Leslie Opat of Lime Springs and Mary Opat of Cresco; sisters, Anita (fiancé Dan Hengel) of Chatfield, Minn. and Melissa Opat of Cresco; brothers, Leslie (Jennifer) of Queen Creek, Ariz., Phillip of Port Huenene, Calif. and Jason of Tempe, Ariz.; his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Charlotte Goodlaxson of Emmetsburg, and his paternal grandmother, Dolores Opat of Clear Lake, Iowa; one nephew, Wesley Opat; and two nieces, Payton Opat and Alexis Folstad.
Chris was preceded in death by his grandfather, Wesley Opat.
A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for 10:00 a.m., June 24, 2010 with Rev. Richard J. Ament officiating. Lectors: Kristin Bray, Amanda Wiger and Elissa Yaw. Gifts: Maegan Goodlaxson, Katy Goodlaxson and Abby Goodlaxson. Eucharist Ministers: Matt Opat, Theresa Opat and Larry Stevenson. Organist: Suzanne Ollendick. Song Leader: Katie Ferrie. Honorary Bearers: Les Opat, Phillip Opa, Jason Opat, Mike Opat, Steve Opat, Luke Dickens, Jeff Jamison, Kelly Goodlaxson, Allen Goodlaxson, Jack Goodlaxson. Casket Bearers: Iowa Military Funeral Honors Unit
Interment is at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, with Military Services by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Unit.Source: Lime Springs Herald, June 24, 2010
Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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