Opal H. "Ann" Custer, 1924 - 2021

CUSTER, TIBBETS, SMITH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2021 at 10:12:54

Sioux City Journal
11 April 2021

Sioux City

Opal H. "Ann" Custer, 97, of Sioux City, passed away at Countryside Nursing Home on April 1, 2021.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, with visitation one hour prior to service time. For those unable to attend the service in person, it will be live streamed at http:/youtu.be/hiBa2xaCYAk. Online condolences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Opal was born at home on March 21, 1924, to Frank and Harriet (Tibbets) Smith in Doon, Iowa. After graduating from Doon High School in 1942, Opal moved to Sioux City, and obtained her degree from the National Business Training School. While she was earning her degree, Opal worked at the White Palace Restaurant, and then worked in the office for Jack Robinson's Shoe Store and Hansen Glass and Paint.

In 1946, after a surprise blind date, she married Gale Richard Custer from Moville, Iowa, in Sioux City, and they remained married until his death in 1997. From this union, they had three sons and a daughter.

Opal deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also had life-long friendships that were very important to her. Before her stay at the nursing home, Opal was active at the Siouxland Center for Active Generations, participating in writing class and reporting for the Sunshine News.

She was a life-long learner and enjoyed reading, listening to country music, traveling, writing short stories, lengthy visits, playing Scrabble and cards, and watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball.

Opal was a Jehovah's Witness for over six decades and was blessed to observe the annual Memorial service before her passing.

Surviving Opal are her children, Ray (Patricia) Custer of Urbandale, Iowa, Donnin Custer (Eunice Acker) of Montrose, Colo., Nancy Watson of Dakota City, and Linden (Shawn) Custer of Commerce, Ga.; her grandchildren, William Watson, Lacey Watson (James Keller), Amber Bekish, Ashley Custer (Michael Onesko), Cody Custer and Sudipta "Sita" Custer; and great-grandchildren, Riley Watson, Lilly Keller, and Sophie Watson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Raymond Francis Smith; and an infant sister.