Service Information
Diane Opitz, age 78, of Winthrop formerly of Gaylord passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Waconia, Minnesota.
Memorial Service will be Friday, December 15, 2023, 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop with interment in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery, Penn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Obituary
Diane Helen Selma Opitz was born on December 11, 1944, in Bismarck Township, Sibley County, Minnesota to her parents, Arthur and Gertrude (Otto) Stiehm. Baptized as an infant, Diane was later confirmed in her faith as a youth, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon. She completed her education in Gibbon, graduating with the Gibbon High School Class of 1962.
On May 11, 1968, Diane was united in marriage to Earl Opitz at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota. After their marriage, Earl and Diane lived in Gaylord, where they were blessed with one daughter, Jessica. Together, Earl, Diane, Jessica, and their cat Meowser shared a joyous life. Diane worked at Fingerhut/Wiman as a seamstress for 27 years and then later at Guide Craft in Winthrop. The family attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Penn Township, and later Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop. In her free time, Diane enjoyed sewing, reading, and collecting bunnies.
After sharing 40 years of marriage, Diane’s husband Earl passed away on March 26, 2009. Surrounded by friends and family, Diane found comfort in going to coffee with friends and spending cherished time with her daughter, grandchildren, and their pets.
Over the next 14 years, Diane moved first to Winthrop and then Waconia to be closer to friends and family. She enjoyed the Cowboy TV channel, any form of game show, chocolate sundaes, and seeing visitors. At the age of 78, Diane passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. She was curious, giving, and a little bit sassy. For all this and more, she will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
Diane is survived by her:
Daughter, Jessica Hartmann and her husband, Jon of Waconia, MN;
Grandchildren, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Samuel, and Madelyn Hartmann;
Sisters-in-law, Bernice Stiehm of Mankato, MN and Linda Stiehm of Mankato, MN;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Diane was preceded in death by her Parents, Arthur and Gertrude Stiehm; Husband, Earl Opitz; Brothers, Lloyd Stiehm and Harold Stiehm.
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