DEFOREST - Dorothy Irene Opem, age 86, of DeForest passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on June 16, 1935, in Madison, the daughter of Clarence and Helen (Thomas) Hoepker. Dorothy met her future husband, Rodney Opem, at the Young Adults Club in Madison, they were married on Jan. 26, 1957.

Dorothy worked for over 40 years for the State of Wisconsin. Starting out as a receptionist in the Legislative Reference Library where her job included clipping newspaper articles about all legislators. She later worked in the State Division for Handicapped Children where she then retired. Dorothy was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where she enjoyed the flower guild and their trips to various flower shows and gardens. She loved to dance, travel and enjoyed music. Dorothy loved all animals and had a special place in her heart for cats.

Dorothy always lived in the Pumpkin Hollow School area. She grew up on the family farm and later she and Rod built a house on the corner of that farm. Three generations attended the Pumpkin Hollow School, her father Clarence, herself and her children Mike and Kris.

Survivors include her children, Mike Opem, DeForest and Kris (Darrell) Sleighter, Arizona; a sister, Carol (Charlie) Dawsey, Alabama; brother, Donald (Nita) Hoepker, DeForest; aunt, Ruth Weisensel, Sun Prairie; grandchildren, Christopher Steward, Texas and Erica Steward-Riggeal, Texas; step grandchildren, Gabriel Sleighter, Arizona and Summer Sleighter-Cox, Georgia; niece, Jenny (Dennis) Kurtz, Wisconsin; nephews, Kevin (Kay) Hoepker, Minnesota and Todd (Kim) Hoepker, Florida; and numerous cousins including a special cousin, Mary TeWinkel.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney; parents, Clarence and Helen Hoepker; a brother, Gary Hoepker; and a special friend, Bill Murphy.

A funeral service will be held at ST LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4011 Major Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens, Cottage Grove. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

Memorials may be gifted in Dorothy’s name to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or the Dane County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Dorothy Opem

June 16, 1935 - February 23, 2022

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