Mary Opelt

Mary Ann Opelt, age 99 of Madison passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on May 1, 1917 in Appleton, the daughter of Herman and Mary Grzanna. Mary Ann was raised and cared for by her grandmother, Adelheid Schaenzer Konrath. She married Norman Opelt on June 1, 1937 in Waukegan, Illinois and they were married 72 years.

Mary Ann graduated from Neillsville High School in 1936. She maintained a life-long interest in education which led her back to school where she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science / Education degree. She taught German and English at Oregon High School. She was known as "Frau" to students and staff. Mary Ann was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher Sorority, Civics Club, the PTA, Bay Creek Neighborhood Assoc., and the Southside Men's and Women's Club.

Mary Ann is survived by her sons, James (Susan) of West Bend and Ronald (Janice) of Madison; grandchildren, Deborah (Donald) Clark, Laura (Gregory) Giessen, Kurtis (Jenny) Opelt, Katrina (John) Chandler and Melinda Prior; great-grandchildren, James and Stephen Clark, Samuel (Jamie) and Becca Giessen, Jillian and Liam Opelt, Lily and Dante Chandler, Moira and Rook Prior; half-siblings, Addie (Jim) Mussa, Ceil Kreisler, George Louis, sister-in-law Dolores Lemanski; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister Barbara Crockett; brother Joseph Grzanna; and half-sister Chris Heinze.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to Agrace HospiceCare, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church or the Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship fund.

Special thank you to good neighbor Betty Hill, caring friend Kenton Fowler, Oak Park Place AL1 staff for giving her a home and care her last 10 months and to Agrace HospiceCare staff for their TLC both during caring visits to her at OPP and providing comfort and care at their facility the last 12 days of her life.

Mary Ann impacted and influenced many people during her long life. For that we thank her!


Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434