Daniel Funeral Home & Cremation Service

Ernest G. "Ernie" Opatz

January 2, 1930 – July 29, 2017

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, August 2nd, at 10:30 AM at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in St. Wendel for Ernest G. “Ernie” Opatz, age 87, of St. Wendel, who died peacefully on Saturday at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Rev. Eugene Doyle will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday between 4:00-8:00 PM at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph, and on Wednesday one hour prior to services at the church. Parish Prayers will be at 7:30 PM.

 

Ernie was born January 2nd, 1930 in St. Wendel to Peter and Mary (Maciej) Opatz. He married Carol Kuebelbeck on June 3rd 1954 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph. He was employed as a machine operator at Frigidaire for 30 years. He retired in 1995. Ernie also farmed in the St. Wendel area. He was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church, and Avon American Legion Post 538.

He served in the US Army from 1953-1955. He loved to play cards, horseshoes, shake dice, study maps, plan trips, and read history books.

Survivors include his wife Carol, children, Nancy Lantagne (Ron) Escanaba, MI, Steve (Laurie) Luxemburg, Jim, Luxemburg, Judy Pilarski (Rod) St. Wendel, Bill, Grey Eagle, Brenda Orth (Joel) St. Wendel, Roger, St. Wendel, Greg, St. Wendel, Joyce Clark, (Andy) Opole, 15 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren with one on the way, brothers, Claude (Susan), St. Wendel, and Marlin, Sartell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Sharon, sister and brother-in-law Loretta and Al Evans, sister-in-law Diane Opatz, and nephew and godson, Randy Opatz.


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With deepest sympathy and prayers to all the family members

Services

Schedule Details

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, August 2nd, at 10:30 AM at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in St. Wendel for Ernest G. “Ernie” Opatz, age 87, of St. Wendel, who died peacefully on Saturday at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Rev. Eugene Doyle will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday between 4:00-8:00 PM at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph, and on Wednesday one hour prior to services at the church. Parish Prayers will be at 7:30 PM.