Richard Marcus OPHEIM

OPHEIM, ELLINGSON, RIERSON, LARSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/28/2007 at 14:10:48

Funeral services for Richard M. (Dick) Opheim, 68, Dows, formerly of Bode, were held Saturday, April 11, at the First Lutheran Church in Dows, with burial in the St. Olaf Cemetery in Bode. He died Tuesday, April 7, 1998, at the Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, of an apparent heart attack. The Elledge Funeral Home of Dows was in charge of the arrangements with the Rev. Glenn Kappelman officiating. Military graveside rites were performed by Post #524 of the American Legion in Bode. Casketbearers were Wayne Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Thomas Opheim, Steve Opheim, Gary Opheim, and Mark Opheim. Kari Johnson was an honorary casketbearer.

Survivors include his wife, Juanita of Dows; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Jean Opheim of Wichita, KS; Jeffrey and Cynthia of San Marcos TX; and Patrick and Denice of Clarion; three grandchildren; two step grandchildren; one step great-granddaughter; his mother, Gladys Ellingson of Buffalo Center; three brothers, Roger Opheim of Waterloo, Lyle Opheim of Sergeant Bluff and Dennis Opheim of Madison, AL; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bernold, and one brother, George.

Richard Marcus Opheim, son of Bernold and Gladys (Rierson) Opheim, was born Nov. 20, 1929, in Humboldt County. He attended Bode Community Schools for 12 years, graduating with the class of 1947. He then attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, for two years and started his teaching and coaching career at Renwick Community Schools. In September, 1950, he entered the United States Air Force. In 1953 he was united in marriage to Juanita Larson at Bode. He received his honorable discharge from the service in August of 1954 and then resumed his teaching career at Renwick. He returned to State College of Iowa (formerly Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls), where he received his Bachelors Degree in Education. For six years he taught and coached in Tripoli. In 1964, he assumed the position of guidance couselor and elementary principal in the Dows Community schools. In 1971 he earned his Masters Degree in Education Administration from the University of Norther Iowa. He served on the Dows staff for 13 years and then began a teaching and guidance position in the Meservy-Thornton schools, from which he retired in 1988. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Dows, Dows Golf Course, Iowa State Education Association, and the National Educational Association.

The Humboldt Independent, IA
April 23, 1998