Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Charlene “Charlie” Oppor, 80, died peacefully on September 17, 2024.
Charlie was born in Milwaukee, WI, on July 24, 1944, where she was lovingly adopted by her parents Leonard and Marie (Leichtfuss) Boettcher of Manawa, WI.
Charlie enjoyed life to the fullest. She was always full of humor and laughter and had an infectious smile. She loved to have fun, joke, and be a prankster. She had a passion for singing and music, learning to the piano at a very young age until there was nothing left for her teachers to teach her. Charlie also enjoyed working on ceramics, drawing, sketching, poetry, and spending time with animals, especially dogs; and in her youth, her horses. Nothing was more important to her than her family and spending time together as often as possible. If you were her friend, then you were also family. Charlie was active for many years with programs to help teens and programs to help individuals with special needs, such as Youth Association for Retarded Citizens. At one time acting as the state advisor, organizing fundraising events such as the “Hike Bike,” participating in the 25-mile hikes, and was often recognized for her work and fundraising. She made her career working for Lutheran Social Services and Team Approach.
She is survived by her children, Troy (Stephanie) Oppor, Ron Oppor, Scott (Brenda) Oppor and Ginger (Kenny) Kafer; grandchildren, Joshua Oppor, Cecilia (Wyatt) Coughlin, Nathan (Kelsey) Oppor, Cavin Oppor, Thomas Metyk, Trenton (Tiffani) Metyk and Destiny (Austin) Mitzel; great-grandchildren, Airalyn and Caroline Oppor, Hadley Coughlin, and Adaline Oppor.
Charlie is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Marie Boettcher.
The funeral ceremony to honor Charlie’s life will be held at Seefeld Funeral Home on October 12, 2024. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am, the service will follow at 11 am. Immediately following the service, the burial will take place at Union Cemetery in Symco, WI.
Memorials should be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association at https://www.apdaparkinson.org or call 1-800-233-2732; or consider a Parkinson’s charity of your choice in honor of Charlie.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Whidbey Health Hospice, Coupeville, WA; Nurse Jennifer for her calm and gentle teachings, many texts and phone calls, compassion, and tireless care for “Miss Charlene” which extended to her family; Pastor Lori Johnson of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, WA for bringing joy, peace, conversations, songs, pictures, communion, comfort, caring and prayers; Caregivers Troy and Stephanie Oppor for providing her the long-term care needed over the years and Bernice Manglona for all the beautiful smiles, laughter, love, care, compassion, kindness, friendship, and many hours of card playing over the last year. Your care and support provided comfort and strength for Charlie and her family.
