Ione Opp

Ione Opp, 85, of Ridgeview, passed away, Saturday, March 17, 2012 surrounded by her family in her daughter's home in Eagle Butte.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. MDT, Friday, March 23, 2012 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte with celebrants, Fr. Matthew Fallgren and Fr. Dan Juelfs. Burial followed in the Timber Lake Cemetery. A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2012 at the church with visitation one hour prior.

Ione was born March 22, 1926 to William and Elizabeth (LeBeau) Rivers at Old Cheyenne River Agency. She attended school at St. Joseph’s Indian Boarding School, later finishing at the Old Agency.

In 1947, Ione married Norman L. Opp and to this union five children were born. They lived on a farm in Timber Lake until 1958 when they relocated to Old Armstrong County south of the Swiftbird Day School. Together they established and operated their ranch until Norman’s passing in 1993. Ione continued to live on their ranch, maintaining an active interest in the day-to-day operations until her health required her to retire.

Ione enjoyed gardening, working outdoors, crocheting, playing cards, doing fill-it-in puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, and visiting with neighbors. She was devoted to her faith, belonging to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ridgeview, where she stayed actively involved until her health began to fail.

Ione is survived by her daughters: Colette (David) Ganje and Marie Long of Eagle Butte and Tina (Robert) Clement of Ridgeview; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and relatives.

Ione was preceded in death by her parents: Elizabeth (LeBeau) and William Rivers; her husband, Norman; daughter, Iona; son, August “Augie”; grandson, Matthew Opp; sisters: Violet Kingman, Marie Traversie, Martha Olson, and Cecelia Babby; and brothers: William Jr., Alvin, Henry and Edwin.

Ione’s family would like to sincerely thank Donna LeBeau and Eleanor Cook of I.H.S and Dennise Donovan, Jill Hoogeveen, Linda Raba, JoAnn Tennant and Tammy Prasek of Compassionate Care Home Hospice for providing exceptional home health care, giving them the ability and support to keep their mom at home during her final time here on earth.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Ione's arrangements.