Sylvan "Sam" Opitz

A Memorial Mass for Sylvan "Sam" Rudolph Opitz, 80, of Aurora, will be held at 10am Monday, July 25, 2011 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Aurora with Fr. Steven Daigle as Celebrant. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the Mass. Inurnment will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery Columbarium in Aurora. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Sam passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 19, 2011 in the Virginia Regional Medical Center with his wife, Flossy, and daughter, Colleen, by his side. He was born May 20, 1931 in Webster, SD to Matthew and Elsie (Gangle) Opitz. On October 28, 1952 he married the love of his life, Florence Hills. Sam was employed by Erie Mining Company and retired in 1993 as a train operator. Following retirement, he and his wife wintered in Arizona. Sam was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Sons of the American Legion and a former member of the Moose Lodge. He was an avid pool player, gardener and enjoyed volunteering at The Resort in Arizona. He especially enjoyed spear ice fishing, polka music, dancing, gardening and the monthly breakfasts with the railroad retirees. He was known as a "Mr. Fixit" and was proud to be a blue ribbon winner at the county fair in zipper art. Most importantly, Sam loved his beautiful wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with all his heart. Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Flossy, children, Diane (Jack) Jackson of Shelbyville, Ind., Colleen (Don) Scott of Aurora and Allan (Kris) Opitz of Luck, WI; grandchildren: Aaron (Jennifer) Jackson, Matthew (Jessica) Jackson, Chad (Sarah) Scott, Troy (Cara) Scott, Jennifer (Ty) Tretsven, Ashley Opitz (Ryan Byl) and Harlan Opitz; great grandchildren: Brennan, Johanna, Ava, Natalie, Olivia, Oskar, Samantha, Jordan and one expected great grandchild; sister, Jeannie (Roger) Gardner of Ipswich, SD, brother, Jack Opitz of Watertown, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Bruce and Bud.