Opal Maline

Opal was born February 24, 1917 to Charlie E. and Hattie (Peterson) Anderson at Etna, NE. She attended elementary school at the Etna School in Custer County. She attended Gothenburg High School graduating in 1934. During High School Opal took normal training and taught school at Etna and Rock Island until she was married. Opal married Byron Maline on August 10, 1939 at North Platte, NE. To this union three children were born Lynette, Vernon and Gaylord. After Opal and Byron were married they remained on Rock Island Table until 1986, when they moved in to town. After Byron's death in August of 1991 she continued to live at home with her son, Gaylord, until 2005 when she moved to Hilltop Estates. After residing there for one year she moved to the Gothenburg Long Term Care Facility for a little more than 15 months. Opal was a member of the New Hope Dorcas, the Rock Island Extension Club, and the Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church, where she taught Sunday School and participated in the Women's Ministries of the church. Opal was a very caring individual who loved caring for her family. She helped on the farm and especially enjoyed helping with the livestock. Opal loved to bake and share her baked goods with her family and friends. Opal is survived by her sons Vernon Maline of Gothenburg, NE and Gaylord Maline of Gothenburg and Lexington; her daughter Lynette and husband Richard A. White of Lexington, NE; one brother Wesley Anderson of Gothenburg, NE; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law Stanley Maline (Bernice) of Wallace, NE; Aksel (Betty) Jensen of Kearney, NE; Rose Marie Swanson of Cozad, NE; Bonnie Maline of Gothenburg, NE; and Harold Knoedler of Brady, NE. She was preceded in death by her husband Byron, brother Wallace Anderson, sister Delores Knoedler, grandson Chuck White and daughter-in-law Joyce Maline. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 17, 9am until 8pm at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held on Wednsday, April 18, at 10:30 am at the Evangelical Free Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with Pastor Rick Rehmert officiating. Burial will take place in the Gothenburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Evangelical Free Church or the Gothenburg Senior Citizen Center.