August 29, 1922 - February 2, 2018

Opal P. Gothblad, age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Glenview Assisted Living facility in Shell Lake, Wisconsin.

A long-time resident of the Ironwood area, Opal was born Opal Pearl Melville on August 29, 1922 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  She graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, Michigan in 1940.  She married the late Robert Emil Gothblad on September 12, 1944 in Ironwood, Michigan where they established roots and raised their two children Margaret Ann (Peggy) and Robert Carl.

Opal dedicated her life to being a devoted wife, homemaker and mother.  She was a smart lady, confident in addressing any situation and willing to share her opinion on most happenings when asked - - - and sometimes even when not asked.  She was fun.  She was a character.  She did good, eh!

She was a life-long member of the Ironwood Wesley Methodist Church and the United Church Women.  She enjoyed watching football, especially Ironwood’s high school teams under great coach Wayne Melchoiri and of course every one’s beloved Packers.  She cherished every minute she got to spend with her husband, family, and friends, especially those times at the cottage on Chaney Lake, picnics at Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains, card games with the old Michigan Bell Telephone gang, dancing at Bingo’s and the Aurora Club, the great neighbors on Ridge Street, and the saints at Glenview.  She was a great cook and a knitter extraordinaire.

Opal is survived by her two children Peggy (Claire) Bulkow of Oostburg, Wisconsin and Bob (Bonny) Gothblad of Spooner, Wisconsin; five grandchildren Brad (Julie) Bulkow and Ryan Bulkow all of Oostburg, Kristy (Keith) Beckman of Dellwood, Minnesota, Danielle (Matt) Dickhausen of Paynesville, Minnesota and Bob (Sarah) Gothblad of Spooner; fifteen great grandchildren Benjamin, Margaret, Gabrielle, Samantha, Taylen, Brock, Walter, George, Faith, Abraham, Adeline, Andrew, Georgianna, Lucas, and Grace Opal; and many nieces and nephews.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband Robert on January 3, 1990; her parents; three sisters Lucille Melville, Mrs. A.W. Nack, and Mrs. Steve Karafa; and four brothers E.F. Melville, N.J. Melville, C.O. Breen, and William Breen.

A visitation will be held at the Spooner Funeral Home from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.

Funeral services will follow on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 East Aurora Street, Ironwood, Michigan with the Reverend Rosemary DeHut officiating.  A visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed with the service at 11:00 am and a light lunch afterwards.  Burial will be at the Ironwood Riverside Cemetery in Spring 2018.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:44 pm CST