Born: August 14, 1923 - Deceased: March 13, 2019
Opal Irene Dorothea (Kollmeyer) Kneezel, 95, of Appleton WI, formerly of Belleville and Bloomington, IL, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Our Dad said it best; “Opal is now 33, without worry, pain-free, and enjoying the company of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Opal was born in Lemay, MO on August 14, 1923 to Christian and Rebecca (Meierding) Kollmeyer. She graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School. Education was very important to Opal and she took some college classes after raising her sons. She worked for many years in the Accounting and Payroll Department, first at Alton & Southern Railroad and then for Missouri Pacific Railroad. She was a member of Tri-Valley Baptist Church, Bloomington, IL, and formerly a member of Edgemont Bible Church, Fairview Heights, IL.
She married her returning WWII soldier, Lawrence, on March 22, 1947, and their nearly 72-year marriage was an inspiration to the four children they raised. She was a beloved mother to Larry (Barb) Kneezel of Downs, IL, Gary (Dean) Kneezel of Webster, NY, Ron (Georgette) Kneezel of Appleton, WI, and Randy (Rita) Kneezel of Decatur, IL. She will be remembered as a loving and proud grandmother to 8 grandchildren: Nathan (Thuy) Kneezel, Daren (Heather) Kneezel, Tim (Teresa) Kneezel, Dan Kneezel, Erica Kneezel, Jenny (Matt) Potter, Andrea (Aaron) Costerisan, and Ryan (Melody) Kneezel, and great- grandmother to 13 (number 14 on the way) great-grandchildren: Tyler, Caleb, Simeon, Benjamin, Joanna, Clara, Oliver, Samuel, Benjamin, Emmalyn, Jared, Eleanor, and Grace.
Opal’s faith in Jesus Christ was most important to her. After Christ, her family was her treasure and she definitely imparted the importance of faith in Christ and family to all of us. She lived out her faith in countless acts of service to church and family. Opal kept very fit in her senior years taking long walks into her late eighties. She had an optimistic view of life, which was reflected in her beautiful smile and hearty, infectious laugh.
Opal is survived by her husband, Lawrence Kneezel, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Dorothy Kollmeyer, Pearl Maiden, and Ruby Kollmeyer, and brothers, Wilbur, Orville, Emory, Roy and Kenneth Kollmeyer.
Special Thanks: The family would like to extend special thanks to Willow Lane Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for their loving care and support.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to Tri-Valley Baptist Church, 8385 N. 1900 East Rd., Bloomington, IL, 61704
Visitation: Visitation from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL, with Pastor Doug White officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
2 Comments
Her children have been raised up to call her blessed and now, as friends of those children, we too call her blessed and are recipients of the great legacy she has left through her family. What a gift to the world!
Opal was a wonderful friend over the many years and she has left a great legacy to her family and so many of us. She will be greatly missed, but is resting in the arms of her Lord & Saviour, whom she served her entire life. We love you, Opal!