GENEVIEVE OPPELT
May 14, 1930 - December 16, 2018
Obituary
Genevieve Anita “Pinky” Oppelt
Neenah – On the evening of December 16, 2018, surrounded by her loving family, Genevieve Anita Oppelt, 88, entered through Heaven's pearly gates and into the arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior.
Anita was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on May 14, 1930 to Walter and Genevieve Polinske. She had two siblings, older brother, Jackie, and younger sister, Linda (Smith). Anita spent most of her childhood growing up on her grandparent's farm. She enjoyed sharing stories from her youth on the farm with her grandkids, and fondly referred to these tales as “Little Genevieve” stories.
After high school, Anita moved to the Fox Valley and began working as a LPN at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah for nearly 25 years. She passed down her passion to care for others as three of her granddaughters would follow in her footsteps and become nurses themselves.
She married Robert “Bob” Oppelt and the two shared nearly 70 years together. They welcomed and raised three children in Neenah: Daniel (Andrea) Oppelt, Jan (Bruce) Anca and Lisa (Paul) Gavronski. Ten grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren followed. Grandpa Bob often called her by her nickname, “Pinky,” and the two of them enjoyed a life filled with camping, golfing, traveling to mystery locations on group bus trips, and, most importantly, fishing on Lake Winnebago for perch and walleye. The pair never missed a chance to call and sing “happy birthday” in their best Edith and Archie Bunker voices, and these calls will be cherished forever for all who were lucky enough to have received them over the years.
Grandma was a feisty competitor; a trait she passed down to her children and grandchildren. Most mornings were spent playing Yahtzee and dominoes with her husband around the kitchen table. These morning competitions often took on a life of their own, as the winner earned nickels, dimes and quarters from the loser. Anita thoroughly relished each and every victory with a yell and a sassy smile at Bob. In return, Bob would teasingly “clear her of her debt” each year on her birthday by giving her back any money she'd lost in recent months playing dominoes.
Anita could often be found watching episodes of Little House on the Prairie or Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (she especially loved Sully). Her signature phrase, “Oh, honestly!” will replay in the memories of all who knew her well. She always grew her own tomatoes and beautiful geraniums and moss roses, her favorite flowers, outside her home every year. Anita liked to sit her porch swing on warm days and watch the birds. She could sew and crochet with ease, and loved to share her creations with others, especially her grandkids. Grandma referred to the years of watching her grandkids grow up as “the best years of my life.” She was a wonderful cook and baker, making some of the best cheesy potatoes and desserts you'd ever eat.
In her later years, Grandma enjoyed snuggling with Marty and Molly, her beloved miniature Chihuahuas and Yellow Labrador, Sydney, her loyal service dog. Most importantly, she loved her family deeply and frequently sent her loved ones handwritten letters in her perfect cursive penmanship. A faithful Christian, her family knew that if a prayer needed answering, to ask Grandma to pray too because she clearly had an “in” with the Lord.
She is survived by her loving husband, Robert J. Oppelt, three children, 10 grandchildren: Daniel Oppelt (Sara, Nathan, Brian & Jackalyn Oppelt, Leah & Lane Moseley), Jan & Bruce Anca (Nicole, Bruce Robert), Lisa & Paul Gavronski (Erin, Lindsey & Joseph Fredrick, Lauren & Joseph Rathsack, Hannah & Marc Stanga), 12 great grandchildren and her sister, Linda Smith.
Anita is preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret & Ivan Stilp, daughter-in-law Andrea Oppelt (late wife of son, Danny), brother, Jackie Polinske, brother-in-laws Fritz and John Oppelt, and sister and brother-in-law Mary & Orville LaSelle.
Her family would like to offer a special thank you to Heartland Hospice and Island Shores Retirement Community in Neenah (especially caregivers, Briana Wills and Hannah Mayer) for all their loving care and support. To honor Anita's wishes, a private family memorial will be held to celebrate her life.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.?– Numbers 6:24-26