Fred Opperman, 78, of Shawano, died on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. Born on Dec. 6, 1938, in Shawano, he was the son of the late Henry and Alma (Kuhn) Opperman.
Fred graduated from Shawano High School. He was a member of the two-time state champion basketball team and holds the record for the highest free-throw percentage, going 12 for 12 in the 1956 state tournament.
On Nov. 25, 1960, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Menasha, Fred was united in marriage to Anna May Case, who preceded him in death on Dec. 13, 2014.
Fred served his country in the United States National Guard during the Berlin Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1962.
Farming was in Fred’s blood; he continued to farm on the Opperman family farm, established in 1896, until present day. He loved farming and was a natural leader, often implementing progressive farming ideas. He was resilient and hard-working. Always an optimist, Fred remained positive and had a great sense of humor. He loved visiting with family and friends, especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Fred’s faith in God was such an important part of his life that he became a lay minister. He was a lifelong member of St. Jakobi Lutheran Church, where his great-grandmother was a founding member. He was involved in various church organizations and was a supporter and past board member for the Wolf River Lutheran High School. He served on numerous boards, including the Morning Glory Board, Richmond Town Board, AMPI (Associated Milk Producers Inc.) Board and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, to name a few. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and listening to Brewers and Packers games.
Fred is survived by his children, Margaret Jordan Opperman, Sue (Gary) Zaddack and Mike (Cathy) Opperman, all of Shawano; his grandchildren, Bryan and Erika Dunnam, Cassie (Zak) Weber, Lee (Ashley) Zaddack, Cory (Amber) Zaddack and Grace Opperman; his great-granddaughters, Ehlana and Zoie; and his son-in-law, Chuck Dunnam, of Shawano. He is further survived by his brother, Douglas (Gail) Opperman, of Pella; his sisters, Mildred Prey, of Split Rock, Gladys Dey, of Menominee, Violet Werth, of Menasha; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Betty (Glen) Miller, of Westfield, Indiana, John (Nancy) Case, of Mount Vernon, Indiana, and Barbara (Leon) Hamblin, of Westfield, Indiana; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; his daughters, Laura Dunnam and Carmella in infancy; a grandchild, Baby Zaddack; his parents; brothers-in-law, Roger Prey, Robert Werth and Leonard Brehmer; and sister-in-law, Pat Case.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church with the Rev. Travis Kleinschmidt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by Shawano American Legion Post 117. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church and again at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services.
Fred’s family would like to extend a special thank you to John Beversdorf for the many years of friendship and ongoing dedication to the Opperman family.