Sophie Opolka

SOPHIE OPOLKA NORWAY- Sophie M. Opolka age 83 of Norway died on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at Florence Villa Nursing Home. She bravely fought cancer since 2002. Sophie was born on October 15, 1922 in Buck Lake location of Alpha. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Julia (Socha) Skrzyniarz. She graduated from Alpha High School and later moved to Detroit; there she worked at the Packard Aircraft plant in the effort to support the troops during WWII. On June 10, 1944, Sophie married Walter “Vad” Opolka at St. Edward Catholic Church in Alpha. When they moved from Detroit in the late ‘40’s, Sophie and Walter settled in Norway. He preceded her in death on July 10, 1983. Sophie’s main occupation was caring for her family and home. Through the years, she also seasonally worked at the Norway Canning Co-op factory, Kimberly-Clark Tree Farm, and finally worked part time at both the U.S. Post Office in Norway and at the Norway-Vulcan Area Schools. She retired in 1992. Cooking, especially trying new recipes, baking, crocheting, and gardening were enjoyable activities for Sophie. Her love of flowers was exhibited every spring and summer when her yard bloomed. Sophie is survived by her son Donald Opolka of Green Bay; daughter and son-in-law Pat and Gregg Stanchina of Iron Mountain; her three beloved grandsons, Jordan (Kristin) Stanchina of Iron Mountain, Jared Stanchina and Joel Stanchina of Minneapolis, MN; brother Alex Skrzyniarz of Buck Lake; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Henry and Kathy Opolka of Norway, George Kanyuh, Jr. of Norway, Helen Opolka of Iron Mountain and Irene Opolka of Florida and Texas; many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors also survive her. In addition to her parents, husband and Walter’s parents John and Mary Opolka, Sophie was preceded in death by her brothers George, Ted and Charles (Sophie) Skrzyniarz; sisters Mary (William Sr.) Koziatek and Josephine Skrzyniarz; members of the Opolka family Joseph and Anton Opolka, Ann (Ted) Stanek and Sophie Kanyuh. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 1 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Miner-Ortman Funeral Home in Norway. Prayers will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Norway. Interment will follow at the Norway Township Cemetery. Our mother and grandmother was a kind and thoughtful person whose concern for others far outweighed any concerns for herself. Please honor Sophie’s memory and schedule a colonoscopy.

Sophie Opolka

October 15, 1922 - August 24, 2006