BioA: Opelt, Mr./Mrs. Max (Golden - 1976)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Opelt, Crockett, Knobel, Rosandich, Longenecker, Noble

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/24/1976

Opelt, Mr./Mrs. Max (Golden – 17 June 1976)

Mr. and Mrs. Max Opelt of Granton observed their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend. The observance began Saturday evening with the couple, all their children, grandchildren and one great-grandchild present for a family style dinner at the Neillsville Country Club.

Sunday morning services at the Granton United Methodist Church, with the Rev. William Noble officiating, were attended by family members and relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Max Opelt were honored at an open house at the Neillsville American Legion Hall Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Approximately 250 relatives, friends and neighbors attended from Neillsville, Granton, Spencer, Chili, Loyal, Greenwood, Mosinee, Marshfield, Cameron, Millston, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Oregon, North Prairie, Waukesha, Little Chute, West Bend, Madison, Hartford, New Richmond, Eau Claire and Kenosha in Wisconsin, Chicago, Il., and Corvallis, Or.

For the occasion, Mrs. Opelt wore a blue chiffon gown with a gold rose corsage. Mr. Opelt’s outfit sported a gold rose boutonniere.

Max Opelt and the former L. Irene Crockett were married at the parsonage of the Rev. George Longenecker in Neillsville on June 17, 1926. They were attended by the bride’s sister and brother, Mrs. Avice Knobel and Allen Crockett. Both attendants were present for the anniversary observance.

The Opelts are lifelong residents of the community. After farming for 33 years, their home was the first Foster Group Home for Boys licensed by the state of Wisconsin. They raised 20 foster sons in approximately seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Opelt were later employed by the Norwood Hospital, Marshfield, until they retired in 1970 and moved to their present home in Granton.

The Opelts are parents of five children, Mrs. Thomas (Arlene) Rosandich of Oak Creek, Jerry of Neillsville, John of Milwaukee, Douglas of Granton and Michael of new Richmond. There are 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.