Grace Oplinger

Grace V. (McElroy) Oplinger, daughter of Edward & Carrie (Heck) McElroy was born August 12, 1912 at the family home north of Randall, KS. Grace passed away Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the age of
96 years old in her home at The Atriums, Overland Park, KS where she has resided for the past 7 years.
Grace attended Humphrey Grade School, Jewell Grade School and graduated from Jewell High School in 1930. Grace worked at the former Jewell Blue Front Restaurant during her high school years and in her early 20's. She also stayed with several local families assisting them with domestic duties.
On February 12, 1939 Grace and Russell J. Oplinger were united in marriage at the Jewell Evangelical United Brethren Church later known as the Salem United Methodist Church. To this union three daughters were born.
Grace & Russell started housekeeping 4 miles west and 1 mile south of Jewell. In 1943 they purchased & moved to the David Oplinger family farm which is 3 ¾ miles west of Jewell.
Grace & Russell spent the next 40 years working the farm. Grace could be found in the fields assisting her husband or in the kitchen where she always made sure that everyone had 3 good meals daily. She also was a good seamstress and made lots of the girls clothing. Russell and Grace always had a big garden and Grace loved her flower gardens. She always was available when one of their daughters needed help with school or church activities.
In 1978 they moved from the farm to their new home in Beloit. The farm continues to be in the family and they are very fortunate to have Curtis & Annette Saint & their boys Nathan and Michael living on the farm.
Grace was an active member of the Jewell EUB Church later known as the Salem United Methodist Church. When Grace & Russell moved to Beloit they joined the Beloit United Methodist Church and enjoyed all the activities at that congregation. Grace was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Jewell & Beloit, Brownscreek Garden Club, Minerva Club of Beloit and volunteered at the Beloit Hospital. Grace was always ready to help her family, neighbors and friends. Grace & Russell enjoyed attending social functions in the Beloit Community.
Grace's husband of almost 62 years passed away December, 2000 and Grace moved to Overland Park in 2001 to be nearer to some of her family. While living at The Atriums she participated in most of the activities. She learned how to email and really enjoyed that new found activity. She always was ready and willing to help with any activity that involved cooking, sewing or crafting. She made many friends of both the residents and the staff.
Grace is survived by her three daughters & their families - Wilma & her husband Ray Lamfers, Overland Park, KS; Carolyn & her husband Bob Murrell, Joplin, MO & Wanda & her husband Randy Koerner, Hays, KS. Grandchildren, Shirl & her husband Rick Leines, Craig Lamfers & his wife, Jill; Kent Lamfers & his wife Julie, Janet & her husband Jeff Hopkins; Curtis Murrell; & Mitchell & Michael Koerner, and step grandchild, Paul Koerner. Nine great grandchildren, Amy & Eric Leines, Jake & Ashley Lamfers, Katie, Emily & Joe Lamfers; Wyatt & Garrett Hopkins & step great grandchildren, Mikayla and Ashton Koerner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two stepbrothers Ernest & Elvin McElroy & their families.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, January 23, at the Beloit United Methodist Church with burial at Jewell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit. Memorials may be given to the Methodist Radio Brodcast Fund or Solomon Valley Hospice.