Carla Marie (Stockman) Opliger, 71, passed away peacefully at her home in Topeka, Kansas on July 16, 2013 surrounded by loving family.
She was born in Kirwin, Phillips County, Kansas, daughter of Warren Julius Stockman and Merle Marie (Moore) Stockman, on July 15, 1942.
Carla spent her early childhood in Kirwin and received her education there. She graduated with the Class of 1960 and was the Valedictorian. As a member of Job's Daughters, she held its highest office.
She married Leland Thaine Opliger on August 28, 1960 at Kirwin. To this union were born daughters, Kathy Wilene Bush and Kay Lyn Carlson. They survive. Her parents and an infant daughter, Karina Justine, preceded her in death.
She is survived by daughters, Kathy Bush and partner Rhonda Gillette of Tonganoxie, KS and Kay Lyn Carlson and husband Carl of Topeka, KS. She will be sadly missed by seven grandchildren including Jennifer Hitt, Jessica Kibbee, Austin Bush, Emily Carlson, Anna Carlson, Ethan Carlson and Maya Gillette and five great-grandchildren, Reagan Hitt, Carter Hitt, Cassidy Brunin, Miles Kibbee and Max Kibbee, aunts and uncles, cousins, the "Classy Ladies", many friends and her beloved dog "Fawna".
As a young woman, Carla was employed at the St. Mary's Star newspaper as a designer of advertising and doing photography. Later, she lived in Hiawatha where she was the owner of the Country Squire Motel. Most recently, she was employed at Rose Hill Place, managing a senior living community, and where she resided in Topeka, KS. She retired in October 2012 due to illness.
Carla will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great -grandmother and a devoted friend to many. She was very involved in the activities of her family. She found great joy in spending time with the "Classy Ladies". Very talented, she was the author of many beautiful poems and cookbooks. She had many interests including; hobbies, traveling, cross-stitching, photography, wheat weaving, music, organizing parties for the senior complex and being an avid Girl Scout leader. She was admired for her decorating abilities.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Oliff-Boeve Funeral Chapel in Phillipsburg, KS on Saturday July 20, 2013 at 10:00 AM with
Rev. Harlan Nonhof officiating.
Visitation will take place at the Funeral Chapel on Friday July 19, 2013
from 6:00 to 7:00 PM with the family present to greet friends.
Burial will take place at the Kirwin Cemetery, Kirwin, KS, where Carla will be laid to rest by her loving parents.
A memorial service and potluck dinner will be held at the RoseHill Community Center for her loving tenants and local friends officiated by Grace Hospice on Saturday July 27th at 11:00 AM.
Memorials may be given in her honor to the Topeka Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st. St., Topeka, KS 66604 Or:
Sunflower Music Festival, 1700 SW College, Darby Hall Suite #2356, Topeka, Kansas 66621.