Peter Opatz

Peter P. Opatz, age 78, of Little Falls, passed away Friday Nov. 23, 2007 at Country Manor in Sartell, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am Thurs. Nov. 29th, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Father Nick Landsberger officiating. Visitation is 4-8pm Wed. Nov. 28th and 10-11am Thursday all at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (West Chapel) in Little Falls, MN. There will be a rosary at 4:30, parish prayers at 5:30 and a rosary at 7:00pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Friday at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Peter Paul Opatz was born on June 29, 1929 in Brockway Township, Stearns County near Opole to the late Thomas & Katherine (Oldakowski) Opatz. He grew up on a farm near Opole. Following his schooling, he enlisted in the United States Navy on August 26, 1950 and served between WW II and the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on June 8, 1954. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Adelman on May 25, 1958 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Minden Township, Benton County, MN. The couple made their home in So. St. Paul where they lived most of their married life. Peter worked for American Hoist and Derrick for 29 years. When the company left St. Paul, he took a custodian job at St. Augustine Catholic Church in So. St. Paul where he worked for over ten years and retired. Following his retirement, the couple continued living in So. St. Paul until the summer of 2004 when they moved to Little Falls. Peter enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, caring for his yard and woodworking. He was a faithful member of St. Augustine Catholic Church for over 40 years and most recently, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Evelyn of Little Falls; children, Michael (Tammy) Opatz of Hampton, Gregory (Mary) Opatz of Cambridge, David (Lisa) Opatz of Fairfax, VA; siblings, Martha Shuman of Little Falls, Alois (Delores) Opatz of Lisbon, IA, Albena (Joseph) Gerlach of Forest Lake, Edwin (Carol) Opatz of Opole, Delphine (Donald) Gralish of Forest Lake; grandchildren, Katherine, John, Anthony, Cecilia, Hilary, Kevin, Thomas, Tessa, Natalie, Sarah, Erica Opatz. He was preceded in death by parents, Thomas & Katherine; daughter, Theresa Marie Opatz and sister, Rose Miller. Memorials preferred to Catholic Charities.