Opal Irene (Nolte) DRAPER

DRAPER, NOLTE, GRUPE, LIEBERKNECHT, HANSON, GRAHAM, VOIGT, LEACH, KEPLEY, FRANK, JENISON, FRAYNE, SMITH, JOHNSON, REIGHARD, BOYINGTON, STORY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:48

December 28, 1927 ---- August 21, 2017

Opal I. Draper, age 89, of Belmond, IA, died, Monday, August 21, 2017, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond. Funeral services will be Thursday, August 24, 2017, 10:30 AM, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, 1031 1st Street. S.E., Belmond. The Reverend Leila Blackburn will be officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM, Wednesday, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st St. S.E., Belmond and will continue one hour prior to the services at church Thursday. Memorials in Opal's name may be directed to the Belmond United Methodist Church, Gateway Hospice, or the donor's choice.

Opal Irene Nolte, the daughter of Edwin and Daisy (Grupe) Nolte, was born December 28, 1927, at her parents home in Popejoy, IA. She attended Popejoy Schools. Opal was united in marriage to her husband and life partner of more than 73 years, Virgil Draper, on June 29, 1944, at the United Methodist Church in Popejoy. The couple' union was blessed with five children including a sons Gary, and 4 daughters: Diane, Janice, Marilyn and Susan

Following their marriage Opal and Virgil farmed north of Blairsburg, IA, until 1950. They then moved to a farm south of Belmond where they continued their diverse farming operation raising dairy cattle, chickens, hogs, horses, corn, beans, hay and oats. She always raised a large garden and canned much of the 'fruits of her labors'. Of course one must also include her love for animals and her many farm dogs, a favorite of which was 'Rusty'. Opal was always a hardworking and dedicated partner in the farming tasks enjoying working the earth driving the machinery, helping to raise the livestock. She truly was a tireless worker throughout nearly all of her almost 90 years on earth. In addition to being an integral part of the success of their farming operation, Opal was a devoted wife and nurturing and loving mother to her children. Much of the compass of Opal's life focused on Family, farming, and faith. She always instilled her faith in her children by making sure they made it to Sunday School and church and of course they were dressed in her coordinated, matching outfits for their Sunday morning trips to church.

Throughout their years on the farm Opal and Virgil's children knew that they could always count Opal opening their home to nearly anyone as a place that they could come and be provided with the nourishment and shelter. Her love for others and heart as big as the farm brought with it countless 'Adopted' friends and neighbors over the many years, all of which she treated as if they were one of her own. Opal and Virgil enjoyed card clubs with friends and neighbors both on the farm and in their years in town. She loved to go fishing and sharing times and her passion for sharing with her grandkids. She also looked forward to playing various games with them over the years. Opal cherished opportunities to pull the family together and host various occasions, especially the holidays, where she would be found in the kitchen creating one of her many delicious culinary delights as her cooking skills were wonderful. Her children fondly remember Sunday afternoon meals filled with roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, and many of her other favorites. Opal also shared her cooking for a number years when she was employed at the Town House Café in Belmond.

The couple moved from the farm to the town of Belmond in 1976, however, they continued to own and operate the farm for a number years before retiring and even after that one might find the two of them out at the homestead picking up sticks, mowing, burning, or just making sure all was in meticulous order, as was much of what Opal practiced in her care for her home, her family, and all that she did.

Opal was a dedicated servant of the Belmond United Methodist Church, where she was active in the UMCW, Rebecca Circle, both as a member and treasurer for many years, served as a Sunday School teacher, and had given of her time and talents to many of the events and happenings at the church.

Opal and Virgil truly were a team in life and nearly always if you saw one of them out and about the other would be not far behind, whether it was their tooling about town, treks, to the country side, visiting friends, stopping by the care center to brighten peoples' days, going out for a meal, or to a community event, a stroll on the walking trail, or picking up that last leaf in the yard, sweeping the snow off the drive, where you would find one, there was the other. The two loved to start their daily routine with a competitive game of cribbage, then breakfast and follow it up with a few friendly games and conversation over their pool table. Eventually taking some time to relax and watch their birds and squirrels in the backyard. Opal relished any opportunity to be in the presence of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as extended family and friends. She enjoyed the many years her and Virgil wintered in Texas, their trip to Hawaii and of course an occasional, but frugal outing to the casino.

Those who were privileged enough to cross in her life footsteps will reflect fondly upon her memory as a consummate caregiver and gentle lady with a warm and loving demeanor that she wore on her being in all that did.

Her legacy will be carried forward by her survivors including her husband and life partner of 73 years Virgil Draper, Belmond, IA,; her son: Gary Draper, Randall, IA; daughters Diane (Dave) Lieberknecht, Belmond, IA, Janice Draper, Garner, IA, and Marilyn Hanson, Klemme, IA,; son-in-law Ron Graham, Garner, IA,; and sister Veloise Voigt, Amarillo, TX; her grandchildren: Gary Lee (Fiancee' Meredith Leach), Charlotte, NC, Heather Kepley, Jewell, IA, and Kevin (Heather) Frank, Boxholm, IA; Debbie (Mark) Jenison, Belmond, IA, Danny Lieberknecht, Belmond, IA,; Angela Frayne, Meservey, IA, Bryan (Cheila) Frayne, Garner, IA, Brenda (Steve) Smith, Garner, IA,; Shelly Hanson (companion Bruce Johnson), Goodell, IA, Jason (Patti) Hanson, Klemme, IA,; and Stephanie (Nick) Reighard, Alexander, IA, and Chad (Darcy) Boyington, Klemme, IA,; and many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Daisy, her in-laws Bill and Irene (Scott) Draper, daughter Susan Graham, infant sister Imogene, brother Keith and Kenny Nolte, brothers and sisters-in-law Gerald and Eloise Draper, Velva Draper, Ernie and Deloris Story, and Keith Voigt, also nieces and nephews Linda, Kathy, Timothy, Nancy, Kenny Jr., Keith Jr. and Johnny. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

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