Harry Opp

Harry Opp, age 76, a resident of Underwood, passed away Monday, January 29, 2018, at his home.

He was born to Jacob and Frieda Opp on September 20, 1941, in Eureka, SD, where he spent his boyhood. On February 1, 1964, Harry married Carol Gukeisen in Sioux Falls, SD.

Harry enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1978. In 1969, he graduated from Dakota State Teachers College in Madison, SD, with a degree in Industrial Arts.

Mr. Opp was employed at Mount Vernon Public School in South Dakota for 3 years. In 1972, he moved his family to Browerville where he taught for 9 years, and also became vocationally certified to teach building trades. He retired from teaching in 2003, after 17 years of employment for the Underwood Public School where he taught Drivers Education and building trades. He built the first house on-site at the Underwood School and also off-site homes in Underwood.

He will be remembered for his extraordinary ability to reach out and help students improve their self-esteem and skills through fine wood-workings and building projects, and for his dedication and work in helping raise funds for scholarships and many school and sporting activities, through the American Legion which he was a member for many years. He also coached American Legion baseball and was Boy Scout master. Harry was a long-time member of St. James Catholic Church at Maine.

Harry enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time with family, friends, and time at the hunting cabin which he and his hunting buddies built.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Priscilla Schmitt; brothers, Gilbert Opp, Hilmer Opp; brothers-in-law, Alvin Schmitt, Clyde Gilbert, Howard Mettler, and Eugene Meidinger.

Survivors include wife, Carol Opp of Underwood; two daughters, Karri (Tim) Colberg of Houlton, WI, and their children Aidan and Savaelyn, Jodi Kramer of Underwood, and son Jakob; three brothers, Milo (Arlene) of Aberdeen, SD, Lawrence (Flo) of Sioux Falls, SD, Reinhold (Diane) of Minneapolis; sister-in-law, Genny of Richfield; 3 sisters, Lorraine Mettler of Eureka, SD, Gloria Gilbert of Rapid City, SD, Geraldine (Gary) Schnable of Yankton, SD, and 16 nieces and nephews.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018, at St. James Catholic Church, Underwood
Clergy: Father LeRoy Schik
Military Participation: Underwood American Legion Post 489
Interment: St. James Catholic Church Cemetery, Underwood, MN
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com