Opal Mae Pelanowski

Opal Mae Pelanowski, 105, of Start, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at her daughters's home. Memorial services were held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, June 23, 2018 in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, Louisiana. Private family burial was held Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Evergreen Cemetery, Loup City, Nebraska. Opal was preceded in death by her brothers Lloyd Hussey and Charles Hussey. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward Pelanowski. She is the loving mother of Lois Hoover, Linda Baum, and Laura Sledge, as well as the appreciative mother-in-law of Danny Sledge. Opal was also the cherished grandmother of Gary Hoover, Terri Odom, Gayle Frick, Robert Baum, Timothy Baum, Nicholas Baum, Heather Bibb, Jason Zeleny, and Daniel Sledge, her step-grandson. She loved to be surrounded by her 9 great-grandchildren and her 7 great-great-grandchildren who always brought a smile to her face. She is also survived by numerous step-great-grandchildren. Opal had a very close bond with Maxcine Logue and always cherished the time she spent with her. Born December 11, 1912 in Anselmo, Nebraska, to Fred and Jennie Mae (Akerman) Hussey, Opal called Nebraska her home. It was there she met and married her husband Ed and once married began living life on the farm. Her life wasn't always easy. She recounted such things as living through The Great Depression when food and clothing were rationed, making clothes out of flour sacks and washing them on a washboard in the river, wearing rags for masks for protection during the Dust Bowl, experiencing years of true farm life with no electricity or running water, and worrying about the frost collecting on the blanket under her infant baby's nose. Construction work took the family away from the farm and moved them from state to state. Eventually they made their home in Independence, Missouri, and the Monroe area has been home for the past 42 years. Entertaining family and friends with home cooked meals delighted her. She always was prepared for those drop-in guests, as well. Even at 105, she kept an immaculate home and continued Spring and Fall housekeeping. Opal’s passion was sewing for herself, her daughters, and her grandchildren. She also meticulously worked on sequined and spangled costumes. During those long hours as she worked with the shiny pieces of clothing, she developed her love for “the sparkle.” Floating across the dance floor with Ed was a favorite pastime. They met at a barn dance and never quit dancing. Locally they were members of several dance clubs, and Opal was delighted when the opportunity arose when she could wear one of her sparkly outfits. She continued to dance all the way through her 105th birthday. Opal was the proud member of the Ouachita Parish Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for many years and an enthusiastic member of the West Ouachita Senior Center. She was always happy to be honored at nearly every event she attended in recent years for being the oldest attendee. Her most distinguished honor came at the request of the Honorable Ralph Lee Abraham, Member of Congress, who requested that the United States flag be flown over the Capitol in honor of her 104th Birthday. This flag was later presented to her as a permanent keepsake. Opal was like the precious gemstone that carries her name. Just as no two stones are alike, Opal was unique. On some occasions she sparkled like the most brilliant opal stone, but mostly she was simply the Opal with a quiet lustrous glow. Her kind and unassuming spirit will be missed by all who loved her. In lieu of flowers the family requests a special kind gesture be given to the elderly or disabled. Every act of kindness will keep Opal’s spirit alive. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City, assisted the family with the burial service.