Opal VanDonge

Opal VanDonge, age 91, passed away Monday, May 15, 2023 at Sierra Hills Assisted Living Facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Opal was born July 14, 1931 to William and Nannie (Dankenbring) Bahe in Republic County, Kansas.  She grew up and went to school in Bruning, Nebraska until her sophomore year, at that time they moved to Goodland, Kansas.  Opal graduated from Sherman Community High School in 1949. Opal married Donald Lee VanDonge in 1950 in Goodland to this union 3 daughters Cheryl, Debra, and Jana.

Opal worked for R.K. Driver O.D. in Goodland as an optometrist assistant and secretary for 38 years, she retired in 2004.  Opal was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Goodland; she was involved in many aspects of the church for many years.  She enjoyed playing Pinochle, Bridge, Canasta, Ceramics, baking cinnamon rolls and peach pies, working in her yard and most of all spending time with her family and friends.  In her later years Opal really enjoyed playing Bingo with her friends at Sierra Hills in Cheyenne.

Preceding her in death are her parents William and Nannie Bahe; sister Denelda and brother-in-law Chuck Tyrell; brother Loren and sister-in-law Tamera Bahe; and niece Carolyn Lundin.

Opal is survived by her daughters, Debra (Michael) Janicek of Cheyenne, WY, Jana Carpenter of Casper, WY, and Cheryl Hedge; brother Wilmer (Peggy) Bahe of McCook, NE; grandchildren, Justin, Jade, Joshua (Chelsey) Carpenter, Jamie (Ty) Jenkins; great grandchildren, Brileigh Carpenter, Archer, Otto, Jett Carpenter, Mak Jenkins; and many more family and friends.

Memorial service will be Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 10:30 AM MT at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 222 West 13th Street, Goodland.  Inurnment will follow at the Goodland Cemetery. 

Memorials may be designated to Opal VanDonge Memorial Fund and may be left at the service or sent in care of Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. You can find information and leave condolences at www.batemanfuneral.com

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