Obituary of Betty Joan Opfer

Betty J. Opfer, 78, of Niles, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in South Bend on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, with her family by her side. Betty was born on August 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 5 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 wasn’t 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 held on Monday, February 17, 2020, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel in Niles at 1:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.