Opal I. Zeilinger

Opal Zeilinger, 99, of David City died Tuesday, May 21, at David Place in David City. 

IN LEIU OF FLOWERS, PLANTS, and STATUES: Memorials may be directed in care of the family for a later designation to be used for local organizations. 

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in David City. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Chermok Moravec Johnson Mortuary in David City. Visitation will resume on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Burial at the David City Cemetery. Lunch to follow at the Redeemer Lutheran Church Hall. Moravec Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements for Opal's family. 

Opal Irene Morgan was born to Marion Fred Morgan and Minnie Augusta {Lang} Morgan on July 29^th 1924 in Elmwood Nebraska.

Depression hit and jobs were scarce so Marion left his family of five sons and two daughters in Nebraska and moved to Oakland, California. Minnie hadn’t heard from him so she moved her family to Garrison, Nebraska  Opal attended school in Garrison till 8^th grade when her mother moved to David City.  All her siblings helped out with odd jobs while attending school to help their mother out.  Opal worked waitressing in Ellas Café before school and after school.  After graduation from high school in 1943, Opal worked in the David City Grain elevator where she met this farmer Donald Zeilinger and attended the New Years Dance with him.  They were married on March 6, 1945 on a snowy day in the Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. and had a dinner at Minnie Morgans house at 4 p.m with close family attending. The Honeymoon was a quick trip to Crab Orchard, Nebraska to stay with the Aunt Alma family.  After a four day honeymoon they were back in David City to live on the J.F.McGurk farm one mile north and one half east on the Bruno Highway and #15 highway intersection. Opal learned about farming that summer with her two youngest brothers that lived with them. On November 18^th 1945 Gary Donald was delivered to them on a snowy Sunday noon.  The hospital bill was $75 dollars.

In 1947 Donald, Opal and Gary moved into a farmhouse 2 and half miles north of David City on Highway 15. There, the twin girls Karen and Kathie were delivered on March 5, 1951.  That same year Donald's dad died and Opals mother died.

Cindy Lynn was born June 10, 1954 completing the family. On Mother’s Day 1973 all her kids helped them move to the present location a quarter mile south of their place and on the West side of the Highway. They became involved with the Butler County Historical and were involved with the County History Book.  Opal also joined the VFW and served as secretary for many years.  Opal was involved with many church functions including Sunday School teaching, organizing church funerals and potlucks. Opals main interest was her family.  Don enjoyed working with his horses, the girls were involved with 4H and horse shows where so many preparations needed done and Opal did them.

Opal is survived by one son, Gary and his wife Marilyn, Karen and Everette of Missouri Valley, IA., Kathie and Jim Hackney of Columbus, NE, Cindy and John Kopecky of Omaha, NE, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.