Betty Opfer, of Niles

Published 8:51 am Friday, February 14, 2020

Aug. 26, 1941 — Feb. 11, 2020

Betty J. Opfer, 78, of Niles, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in South Bend on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, with her family by her side.

Betty was born on Aug. 26, 1941, to the late Earl and Helen (Robbins) Hahn in Niles. Betty wed Dale Leroy Opfer, and together, the two raised four daughters.

Betty started at Simplicity as a pattern folder, and after 37 years, Betty retired. Betty proudly worked full-time and took care of her family. While working five days a week, Saturdays became cleaning day. She was known to put on an old musical, turn the volume up and dance with the girls while cleaning the house.

Being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was Betty’s proudest accomplishment. When she was not working or cleaning,

Betty loved searching for a good deal at a yard sale or Goodwill or tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She also loved dogs and cats.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Helen Hahn; husband, Dale Opfer; brother, Lawrence Hahn; and sisters, Joyce Low and Nancy Larson.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Janelle (Paul) Leonard, of Niles, Joan (William John) Sobolewski, of South Bend, Jeanne (Christopher Paul) Cords, of Mentone, Indiana, and Janette “Shorty” Opfer, of Niles; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends.

Funeral services to honor Betty’s life will be at 1 p.m., with a time of visitation beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel in Niles.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.