Obituary of Opal Klassen

Opal Ruth Fuhlendorf Klassen, age 85, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Cheyenne Manor Nursing Home in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Opal was born September 17, 1929, northeast of Vona, to Frederick and Chloe Fuhlendorf. She was the youngest of 11 children, having 5 brothers, Lloyd, Leroy, Dale, Wayne and Carl and 5 sisters, Violet, Mabel, Velma, Ada, Frances. Opal attended and graduated Vona High School. On August 22, 1947, Opal married Loyd Klassen in Goodland, Kansas. To this union were born 8 children, Bruce, Diane, Aubrey, Marsha, Verl, Troy, Terri and Virginia. During their 66 years of marriage they made their home north of Vona, living on their farm. Later, due to health issues, they moved to Burlington. For two years they lived in an apartment in Burlington. During this time they had many wonderful care givers that made it possible for them to remain together. In 2010 Opal joined Loyd at Cheyenne Manor Nursing Home. They were together every day until Loyd’s death in March 2014. Opal was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker. She spent much time helping Loyd on the farm and raising her family. Opal was an amazing cook, making meals for family gatherings, harvest crews, and church potlucks. The grandkids will fondly remember Grandma Opal’s Famous Fulhlendorf Fudge that was a special treat every Christmas. Since she wouldn’t share the recipe, saying it was a secret, her family all assumed it was a very special family recipe. It was many, many years before she revealed that the recipe was on the back of the marshmallow cream jar and Loyd was the one that gave it the famous name. Opal was a member of the Kirk Baptist Church, Kirk, Colorado. She was a kind and caring person and especially cherished time spent with the grandchildren. Opal is preceded in death by her husband, parents, 4 brothers and 5 sisters, sons Bruce Klassen and infant Aubrey Klassen and daughters Diane Henry and Marsha Veit and son-in-law John Johnson. Opal is survived by her sons, Verl Klassen of Stratton and Troy (DeLeis) Klassen of Vona and daughters Terri Thompson of Burlington and Virginia (Johnnie) Johnson of Burlington and sons-in-law Leroy Henry of Vona and Kurt Veit of Boise, Idaho. She is survived by a brother Carl Fuhlendorf of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.