Obit: Opelt, Gordon L. “Butch” (1944 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Opelt, Mack, Vogelman, Zickert, Kren, Boyer, Schuette, Urlaub, Gutenberger

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 03 Dec 2014

Opelt, Gordon L. “Butch” (4 FEB 1944 – 27 NOV 2014)

Gordon L. “Butch” Opelt, 70, Neillsville, died on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. A celebration of Butch’s life will be held at the Neillsville American Legion beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Drinks and a light meal will be available during this time. Butch’s family will arrive at 3 p.m.

Gordon Leonard Opelt was born on Feb. 4, 1944, in Neillsville, the son of Carl and Permilla (nee Mack) Opelt. He attended grade school in the town of Levis and Neillsville High School. He then moved to Racine and worked at Hamilton Beach. While in Racine, he met his wife-to-be, Mary Vogelman. They were married on Dec. 23, 1965, in Neillsville. They lived in Racine until the spring of 1966, when they moved to Neillsville and Butch worked for his father Carl’s sand and gravel company. In 1972, he and his brothers Dale, Kenny and Bill took over ownership of their father’s business (Opelt Brothers). In 1996, Butch and his sons took over ownership of the sand and gravel business and named it Opelt Sand and Gravel. Butch loved racing, often driving a race car at the local tracks. He enjoyed playing cards and hunting, going to Florida in the winter and going for motorcycle rides. He was a member of the Neillsville Lion’s Club and the Neillsville Men’s Club.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; four children, Scott (Tara) Opelt, Merrillan, Mike (Shari Zickert) Opelt, Neillsville, Tina (Todd) Bjurquist, Plum City, and Carl (Brandy) Opelt, Neillsville; 14 grandchildren, Mindy (Adam) Kren, Nick Opelt, Tia Opelt, Marah Boyer, Tanner Opelt, Alex Boyer, Devon Opelt, Taylor Opelt, Torrie Opelt, Montana Opelt, Keesha Opelt, Lilly Opelt, Logan Opelt and Brailey Opelt; two great-grandchildren, Harper Rose Opelt and Kennedy Rose Kren; nine siblings, Robert Opelt, Neillsville, Arnold Opelt, Granton, Bernard (Hanna) Opelt, Green Bay, Kenneth Opelt, Neillsville, Evelyn (Don) Schuette, Neillsville, Donald (Sue) Opelt, Greenwood, Dale (Betty) Opelt, Neillsville, Jennie (Ben) Urlaub, Neillsville, and Dorothy Gutenberger, Lynn; and two sisters-in-law, Jan Opelt, Neillsville, and Terrie Opelt, Neillsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rudy Opelt and Bill Opelt; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Opelt, Delores Opelt and Ruth Opelt; and a brother-in-law, Fritz Gutenberger.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, is assisting the family with arrangements.