Ethelyn Lucille (Mathiason) OPEL

OPEL, MATHIASON, ARMENTROUT, MARKONIS, KENNEDY, MOORE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/11/2008 at 20:24:34

Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
February 23, 2008

Ethelyn Lucille (Eppie) Opel, 93, of Carlsbad, Calif., formerly Clear Lake, died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 after a beautiful San Diego sunset at 9:30 p.m. Eppie died from complications of a stroke after five days of Hospice care at her retirement community where she was surrounded by friends and relatives. She was never in pain during the last days of her life. Funeral services will be Monday, March 10, 12 p.m., at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake with the Rev. Scott Wilson of Clear Lake Christian Church officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Interment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Ethelyn L. Opel Memorial Fund.

Ethelyn Lucille (Eppie) Opel was born Jan. 28, 1915, in Emmetsburg, Iowa where her father farmed. Shortly after her birth her family moved to a farm near the town of Rowan, Iowa. Ethelyn started to school in Rowan. When she was 10 years old her family moved to Mason City, Iowa, where she graduated from High School in 1932. In 1937, Ethelyn married Fred Opel from Clear Lake. She and her husband lived in Clear Lake for 25 years. They had one son, George Frederick (“Fritz”). Ethelyn was very active in the First Christian Church of Clear Lake, PTA, Music Mothers and various other organizations.

She moved to California with her son, Fritz, in 1963 after her husband passed away. During the last five years she lived a wonderful life at La Costa Glen Retirement Community in Carlsbad, Calif. where she was very active in the social programs, played bridge, and developed a unique interest and skill in arts and crafts.

She is survived by her son, Fritz, in San Diego, Calif.; three grandsons, Eric Opel in Seattle, Wash., Christopher Opel in Niederuzwil, Switzerland, and Jordan Opel in San Diego. Other surviving family members include two brothers, Donald Mathiason of Rowan and Gerald Mathiason, Redondo Beach, Calif. and four sisters, Carole Armentrout, Diamond Bar, Calif., Alice Markonis, Oceanside, Calif., Janet Kennedy, Indian Wells, Calif. and Phyllis Moore of Temecula, Calif. and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; two sisters; and one brother.