Marian V Opbroek

Larchwood, IA   Marian Opbroek, age 100, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Friday, February 10, 2017, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.        Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 AM, Wednesday, February 15th at Holy Spirit Church in Sioux Falls, SD.        The committal service is 1:00 PM, Wednesday, February 15th at Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA.        Visitation with the family is Tuesday, February 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Prince of Peace Chapel in Sioux Falls, SD followed by a 7:00 PM Vigil service and sharing of memories.        Marian Virginia (Raveling) Opbroek was born August 2, 1916 in Remsen, Iowa, the daughter of Severt and Susan (Miller) Raveling. She was raised on the family farm near Remsen and attended St. Mary’s School in Remsen. She later continued her education at Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, SD.        In 1934 Marian began her career as an elementary teacher with a 3 month teaching certificate at the young age of 17. She met the love of her life when her father hired Arnold Gerhard Opbroek to work on the family farm. They were united in marriage on June 5, 1940. Arnold and Marian were blessed with six children, Art, Jerry, Ed, Wayne, Rosemary and Ruth.        Marian and Arnold lived in Remsen, IA from 1940 to 1945 and moved to Fairfax, SD in 1946. Marian accepted a job at West Lyon Elementary School in 1969 and the family moved to Larchwood, IA. After 34 cumulative years at several schools, Marian retired from teaching and entered the “best years” of her life traveling with Arnold to visit her large, widespread family and friends. On May 2, 1995, Marian’s husband of 55 years died. She remained living in Larchwood until 2009 when she moved to Prince of Peace Retirement Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Marian was always an active member of her church, the American Legion Auxiliary and her teacher’s groups. She was an avid lifetime learner who enjoyed quilting, cross word puzzles, playing cards, reading, crocheting, Bingo, and most of all, taking care of people. She was a generous, loving woman of strong faith who touched so many lives and who left a strong legacy of how to live life fully.        Marian was admitted to hospice care on Wednesday, February 8th and left to meet Jesus on Friday, February 10, 2017 at the age of 100. Left to cherish her memory are six children, Art (Marjorie) Opbroek of Shreveport, LA, Jerry (Amy) Opbroek of Mitchell, SD, Ed (Claudia) Opbroek of Middletown, OH, Wayne (Cheryl) Opbroek of Sioux Falls, SD, Rosemary Opbroek of Omaha, NE and Ruth Krueger of Sioux Falls, SD; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; a sister, Mildred (Raveling) Soard of Chillicothe, IL; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Gerhard Opbroek; her parents, Severt and Susan Raveling; and a brother, Elmer Raveling.