Opal L. Hahn

HAHN, ROBERTSON

Posted By: J.L. Breen (email)
Date: 3/6/2014 at 13:11:20

Opal L. Hahn, age 88, of Keota, died peacefully in her sleep at Maplewood Manor in Keota, on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, following a brief illness. Opal Lily Robertson was born September 11, 1920 in the farm home of her parents, Ray and Rosa Frank Robertson, near Wellman, Iowa. She graduated from Wellman High School in May 1938, completing courses for a Normal Training Certificate. She taught at Brush No. 1 School, Frytown, Iowa and Rolling Green School, Keota, Iowa. She also served as a substitute teacher. On May 22, 1944, she married Bernard William Hahn in St. Mary’s Church, Keota, Iowa by Rev. C. S. Kempker. They resided in Yorktown, Virginia where Opal was employed at Naval Mine Depot while her husband was stationed in the Navy. Following her husband’s honorable discharge from service, Opal lived in Keota for 65 years on North Ellis Street. Opal devoted her life to her family. She found her greatest enjoyment in raising her family and then providing day care for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid supporter and always attended all events in which her children and grandchildren participated. Opal was a member of the Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Keota, the Keota V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and Keokuk County Retired Teachers Association. She served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a loyal Hawkeye fan, beginning with attending every home game when her son, Tom, became a member of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band. Attendance at football games continued until she was unable to do so. She was especially happy to attend several bowl games in other states. Other activities she looked forward to were playing cards, embroidering, making quilts, writing, dining out and doing genealogy. She authored six books about her family. Opal’s family includes her children: Tom Hahn, Berna and Jim Waterhouse, all of Keota, and Dana and Art Peck of Wellman. She has eight grandchildren: Lynnette Waterhouse Hultman, Janette Waterhouse, Jamey Waterhouse, Benjamin Peck, Jeremy Peck, Micah Peck, Amanda Hahn and Andrew Hahn. Also surviving are fifteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two grandsons, Jon Waterhouse and Nickolas Peck, one great grandson, Jakob Peck, twin brother, Warren Robertson, brother Stanley Robertson and sisters: Pearl Cochran, Myrtle Robertson, Novella Hess and Fern Adams. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2009, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Mary Cemetery in Keota. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, where there will be at wake service at 7:00 p.m. A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Opal and her family.