Shawano Leader
Friday, March 16, 2007

Susan M. Opperman

Susan M. Opperman, age 108, a long-time resident of the Town of Richmond, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at the Birch Hill Health Care Center of Shawano.

She was born in the Town of Waukechon on Aug. 16, 1898, daughter of the late George and Emilia (Buettner) Ainsworth. On Jan. 23, 1919, she was united in marriage to Frank Opperman at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death in 1976. Mrs. Opperman enjoyed sewing, crocheting, rug and quilt making and gardening. She was a faithful member of St. Jakobi Lutheran Church.

Survivors include: children, Cecile Engel, Shawano, Wilbur Oppermann, Town of Richmond, Lorraine (Howard) Turman, Two Rivers, Phyllis (Gerald) Lamberies, Shawano, Bernice (Willis) Lamberies, Town of Richmond, Melvin (Carol) Opperman, Town of Richmond, Joyce (Vincent) DeBauch, Gillett; 32 grandchildren and numerous great-grand and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by: a daughter, Mavis Rockliwitz; two grandsons, Todd Engel and David DeBauch; two brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 17, at 11 a.m., at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church, Town of Richmond with Pastor Timothy Lamkin officiating. Interment will be held at St. Jakobi Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Church until the time of services. Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service of Shawano is in charge of the arrangements.

A memorial fund for the St. Jakobi Church Building Fund has been established in her memory.

www.schroedermickelsonfuneral.com

Shawano Leader
Sunday, March 18, 2007

Woman among city’s oldest remembered as hard working, caring
By Donna Hobscheid, Leader Reporter

Susie Opperman liked to be with people and liked to stay busy.

“Hard work and lots of it” is what Opperman told a Leader reporter three years ago was the secret to her longevity. She was 105 then.

Opperman died Wednesday at Birch Hill Health Care Center, where she had been a resident for the past eight years.

At the time the Leader article was written, the reporter noted Opperman was still sharp, but her eyesight and hearing were failing.

Birch Hill activities director Denise Marks said Opperman loved to reminisce.

“You could ask her about anything and she had a story,” Marks said Friday.

On March 1, piglets had been brought into the nursing home.

“As soon as she touched one, she had a story,” Marks said.

She helped out at the nursing home folding towels twice a day, for which she was rewarded with a snack.

“She loved doughnuts and cookies. After she folded towels, we would give her a doughnut or cookie,” Marks said.

One day they were out of doughnuts, and they gave her a danish. With Opperman’s poor sight, she could not see the pastry, but she could feel it was not her usual treat.

“She knew just by touching it. If it wasn’t a doughnut, she wasn’t going to eat it,” Marks said.

When they thanked her for her work, she would respond, “I just like being busy,” Marks said.

Opperman was very much a part of Birch Hill. She had a specific spot she liked to sit by the nurses’ station when she wasn’t in another activity or resting.

“She was just really a pleasant lady,” Marks said.

Opperman farmed her whole life, first growing up in the town of Waukechon and later in the town of Richmond, after marrying Frank Opperman in June 1918. He died in May 1976.

The couple had eight children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services for Opperman were held Saturday. A memorial has been established in her name for the St. Jakobi Church Building Fund.