Obituary of Opal Elrick

Opal Madaline Elrick, of Flagler, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2007 at Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo Colorado at the age of 91. Opal was born May 9, 1915, in Plainview, Kansas to Frank and Sarah Charles. She was the eighth of ten children. At the age of five, her family moved to Goodland, Kansas. She attended schools in Sherman County. On August 5, 1936, Opal married Lonnie Elrick in Akron, Colorado. They began their life together on a farm north of Flagler. During this time five children blessed their lives. Larry Gale, infant who passed away three days after birth, Allen Marshall, Gary Clyde, Linda Sue and Sherry Lou. They lived on the farm until January 1957, when they moved into the town of Flagler. Opal always liked the farm, but always said she didn’t miss hanging wet rags and towels on the doors and windows to keep out the dirt. In 1964, Lonnie and Opal were blessed with their grandson Gary, Jr. coming to live with them and in the years to come Opal enjoyed watching the many activities that Gary, Jr. was in. After the passing of Lonnie, in June of 1968, Opal began working at Colorado Bird Seed. She worked there until 1973 when her son Allen and D.C. Moss bought the local pool hall. She worked there for a couple of years during the daytime. In 1975, she went to work at Witt’s Family Store for a few years. In 1978, she went back to work at Colorado Bird Seed until she retired in 1987. In 1987, Opal moved into Pioneer Valley and enjoyed the many friendships she made during her years there. She especially liked the Monday morning coffees with the other ladies. For 12 years she also kept herself younger by babysitting for her two great-grandchildren, Bryant and Jana Elrick. During this time, in 1993, she suffered a small stroke and to everyone’s amazement she recovered fully and continued to attend and enjoy the many activities of her all of her great-grandchildren until recently when her health prohibited her. Opal was blessed and determined to live a healthy life. This is exemplified by the fact that through her 91 years, other than having children, she spent less than two weeks in a hospital. Opal was baptized as a child through the United Methodist Church in Goodland, Kansas. Opal was a member of the Flagler Congregational Church and after her stroke she attended services regularly. It is during this time that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Preceding Opal in death were her parents, husband, five brothers, four sisters, two sons, Larry Gale and Gary Clyde, Sr. She is survived by one son, Allen Elrick and wife Sharon of Flagler, CO; daughters Linda Green and husband Ronnie of Flagler, CO; Sherry Long and husband Roger of Cortez, CO and grandson Gary Elrick, Jr and wife Angie of Flagler, CO; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Flagler Cemetery In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregational Church Ladies Aid.