Funeral service for Ervin Opp, 87, of Eureka will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Eureka Reformed Church.
Burial in Eureka City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ervin died Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Avera Eureka Health Care Center.
Ervin Opp, son of Fred D. and Lydia (Hoff) Opp, was born March 19, 1926, on the family homestead in Odessa Township, McPherson County. This is where he grew up while attending country school. Ervin began farming at a young age and did so for his entire life, raising small grains and livestock.
He was united in marriage to LaVerne Aman on June 1, 1947, in Hosmer. They made their home on the homestead farm until 1994, when they moved into Eureka. Ervin continued to take part in farming until 2012. He entered the Eureka Health Care Center in November of 2012.
Ervin loved farming and his John Deere tractors. He played softball until he was 50 years old. He enjoyed his children's activities, as well as his grandchildren's and all Eureka youth sports. Ervin was looking forward to the baseball season with hamburgers and treats in the stands and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. Ervin and LaVerne were team bowlers in Eureka for more than 50 years. During that 50-year span, they bowled for Opp Clothier and Opp Ranch teams. He was an avid pheasant hunter and loved playing cards with his friends and relatives.
Ervin was a member of Eureka Reformed Church and Pheasants Forever.
Ervin is survived by his wife, LaVerne; two sons: Dr. Darold (Pam) Opp of Aberdeen and Mark (Elisa) Opp of Eureka; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
His parents; two sons: Arnold and Kenneth; three brothers; two sisters; and one grandson preceded him in death.
Honorary casketbearers will be Ervin's grandchildren and the staff of Avera Eureka Health Care Center.
The family prefers memorials to Reformed Rural Cemetery Fund or Eureka Youth Baseball Program, c/o of Fred Weller American Legion Post 186.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Eureka has been entrusted with arrangements.
carlsenfh.com