Marilyn Oppelt, 95, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkton with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Public visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Marilyn Emma Oppelt was born on Jan. 12, 1925, to Herbert and Martha (Prueter) Stoltenberg in rural Trosky, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran church in Trosky, MN. Marilyn lived near Trosky until the age of 5 when her family moved near Ward, SD. She attended District 36 in Pipestone County through the 8th grade. At the age of 15, Marilyn’s family moved to rural Lake Benton, MN, until eventually settling in the Elkton area. In July of 1939, Marilyn was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ward, SD.
On Jan. 10, 1945, Marilyn married Marvin Oppelt. Together they raised their family on the farm until moving into Elkton in 1982. After they retired from farming, she worked at Super 8 in Brookings and later as a cook in the Elkton Public School, where she enjoyed interacting with the students. In 2014 she moved to Brookings. Marilyn was a longtime member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkton where she served in the Ladies Aid. Over the years, she belonged to the Thimble Club and later the Golden Agers. Marilyn also enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, quilting, sewing, baking, and spending time with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They could always count on a homemade cookie or treat when they visited.
Survivors include her children; Helen (Curt) Sterud of Brookings, Kenneth Oppelt of Sioux Falls, Carol (Ken) Jongeling of Oklahoma City, OK, and Joyce (Tom) Kepford of Brookings; son-in-law, Doug Kampmann of Elkton; daughter-in-law, Carrie Miller of Belle Fouche; sisters-in-law, Sandra Stoltenberg and Marge Odegaard both of Brookings; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin; son, Ivan; daughter, Janice Kampmann; step-grandson, Travis Ronfeldt; and brother, Herb Stoltenberg.
