Alma Opp

Alma Opp, 86, Gackle, ND died early Wednesday morning July 15, 2009 at the Hi-Acres Manor Nursing Center in Jamestown, ND.

Alma Elhard was born April 19, 1923 near Jud, ND, the daughter of George Elhard and Lydia (Geinert) Elhard. She attended the local rural school where she received her elementary education and grew to womanhood while helping on the family farm.

She and Andrew Raymond Gumke were married November 30, 1941 on the Gumke family farm where they helped farm. They moved to Crosby, MN where she was a homemaker. In 1960 they moved to the Chicago area. Following the death of her husband, November 21, 1964, she continued to reside near Chicago until 1967 when she moved to Gackle, ND. She owned the Deep Rock Station from 1968 to 1972.

She and Eddie Opp were married July 11, 1973 at Gackle, ND. They made their home in Gackle, ND. She also worked at Elhard's Tastee Freeze and was employed as the head cook at the Gackle Public School. She later went to work at the North Dakota State Hospital as a Dietary Assistant until her retirement.

She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gackle, ND.

She is survived by her children, Judy Thomas, Fresno, CA; Diane Walker, Gackle, ND; Carol Muller, Gackle, ND; Donna (Leon) Phillips, Lockport, IL; Peggy (Conrad) Gordon, Lockport, IL; Kenny (Shar) Gumke, Jamestown, ND; Wayne (Louanne) Gumke, Marshall, VA; her step-children, Garry (Kay) Opp, Oakes, ND; Carla (Gary) Faulhauber, Dallas, TX; 24 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild; 2 sisters, Violet Mares, Stickney, IL; Myrtle (Jerry) Yesia, La Grange, IL, and 1 brother Raymond (Marge) Elhard, Bloomington, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, 3 brothers, 1 step-son and 1 son-in-law.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Monday July 20, 2009 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gackle, ND with Rev. Ruth Kaden, officiating.

The interment will be at Gackle Cemetery in Gackle, ND.

Visitation: 9 AM - 6 PM Sunday July 19, 2009 at the Haut Funeral Chapel in Gackle, ND

Prayer service: 7:30 PM at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gackle, ND.