Verena Gerturde Opatz

Verena Opatz, 87 year old resident of Bowlus, MN passed away Friday, May 20 at the Harmony House in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, May 24 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton with Rev. Laurn Virnig officiating. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Bowlus, MN. Friends may call from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Monday at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, MN. The Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 4:30 P.M., Knights of Columbus will pray at 5:30 P.M. followed by Parish Prayers at 7:00 P.M. on Monday at the funeral home. Verena Gertrude Trettel was born June 1, 1923 in Two Rivers Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late Leonard and Agnes (Schelonka) Trettel. She was united in marriage to Edward Opatz on October 31, 1942, the couple later divorced. She lived most of her life in Bowlus, MN, later moving to Royalton, MN and then to the Harmony House in Little Falls where she resided at the time of her death. Verena worked for the Chicago Factory for a short time. She then went to work for the Uptown Cafe in Upsala, MN working as a cook and baker. Verena was an excellent homemaker, baking and cooking were her specialties. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, visiting with friends and family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family remembers Grandma Verena as a lady who was always on the go. She was a member of the Christian Mothers. Verena had a tremendous devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is survived by her children, Don Opatz and wife, Shirley of Little Falls, MN, Diane Swanson and husband, LeRoy of Pierz, MN, Mary Jane Bauer and husband, Butch of Little Rock, MN, Gary Opatz and wife, Marie, of Royalton, MN; sister, Lorene and Pete Prokott of Upsala, MN; sister-in-law, Regina Trettel of Bowlus, MN, 22 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Mark Bauer, brother, Edward Trettel; sister, Regina Klimek and a brother-in-law, Joe Klimek. Casket Bears will be: Lisa Opatz, Ryan Opatz, Troy Swanson, Jonica Swanson, Shaun Bauer and Shelly Schraut.