Ivan Leon Opperman, son of Emil and Mabel (Dietz) Opperman was born on May 30, 1925 in the Manning General Hospital in Manning, Iowa.
Ivan grew up on the family farm, graduating from Manning High School in Manning with the Class of 1943. After graduation, Ivan joined his dad’s farming operation. Ivan enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1945 and attended basic training in weather observing school at Chanute Air Force Base, near Rantoul, Illinois, where he learned to take encoded weather observations. He served in World War II as a weather forecaster in the Philippine Islands, stationed at Clark Field. Ivan was honorably discharged in 1947.
Ivan graduated from Iowa State College in Ames with a Bachelor’s in Farm Operations. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and organized escorts for the Miss Iowa beauty pageant where Elizabeth Harding was a contestant. Ivan was Elizabeth’s escort throughout the pageant.
Ivan was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jeanne Harding on March 24, 1951 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. They celebrated 64 years of wedded bliss.
Ivan was involved with many community and statewide organizations. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder and Trustee. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Brown Swiss Dairy Association, Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Soybean Association, West Central Rural Water Association and Carroll County School Board. He built M&I Dehy, an Alfalfa dehydration plant and Continental Soya Corporation (Consoy, what is now AGP).
With declining health, Ivan entered the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in Manning (currently Accura Healthcare of Manning), where he passed away on December 13, 2021 at the age of 96 years, 6 months and 13 days.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents Emil Opperman and Mabel Dietz Opperman; wife, Elizabeth Harding Opperman in 2015; his brother George Opperman and Grandchildren Alexander and Bradley Roberts.
Ivan is survived by his brother; Bill & Phyllis Opperman, Manning, IA; sister in law, May Opperman of Beloit, WI; sister Jane & Dee Kimberly of Boca Raton, FL: children: Susann Siebke of Florence, Italy; John Henry & Nancy Opperman of Manning, IA; Emily Opperman of El Mirage, AZ; James (Jim) & Darci Opperman of Manning, IA; Valarie & Jim Roberts of Algonquin, IL and Rhonda & Greg Wiebers of Mesa, AZ; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Service on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa
Pastor Vickie Steffes, Officiating
Music “On Eagle’s Wings” Rhonda Wiebers, Vocalist, “Rock of Ages” and “Amazing Grace”
Casket Bearers are Brian Roberts, Carrie Roberts, Jodi Opperman, Kathryn Vigoriti, Michelle Paleo, Lewis Wiebers, Kendra Wiebers, Justin Opperman, Carolyn Opperman, Jason Opperman, Scott Opperman, Stephen Grimm and Cody Beaver
Interment with Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard, Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 3517 and American Legion Post 22 at the Manning Cemetery ~ Manning, Iowa
The Ohde Funeral Home in Manning is in charge of arrangements where friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 17 before the funeral.
