Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/David-Alan-Christianson/FILE/0004text.txt
JACOB D. AND KATHARINA OPP Jacob D. and Katharina Opp Jacob D. and Katharina (Neuharth) Opp settled 15 miles northeast of Eureka in 1884. Jacob, son of Daniel and Katharina (Gohl) Opp, was 14 when arriving in this area with his parents, three brothers and one sister. Jacob's ancestry has been traced to Birlenbach, Canton of Weissenberg, Lower Alsace, France, when his great grandfather, Urban Opp, and his wife, Maria-Anna, emigrated to Hungary in 1807. They traveled on to settle in Glucksthal, South Russia in 1809. Urban was born in 1777. For 75 years, the Opp family remained in Glucksthal as farmers. Urban's eldest son, Daniel, and his own son, Daniel, Jr., remained until the Russian government began to take away the numerous freedoms held by the German immigrants. At that time, Daniel, Jr. and his family emigrated to McPherson County coming through New York City, to Yankton, Menno and McPherson County, leaving in September, 1884. Jacob D. was born April 25, 1870 at Glucksthal, South Russia. On December 11, 1892 he married Katharina Neuharth, born December 23, 1874 to George Neuharth and Elisabeth (Rosin) Neuharth in Menno, South Dakota. A short historical thesis on the Opp family was written by Jacob's brother, Daniel D., which gives interesting stories about life on the prairie before the turn of the century. Ten children were born to Jacob D. and Katharina. Katharina, born November 11, 1893, is still living in Eureka, South Dakota. She was the wife of Rudolph Hilgemann, now deceased. Elizabeth, born April 8, 1895, was married three times--Gustave Hilgemann, John Schumack and Fred Mayer, all deceased. She died December 3, 1950. Jacob, Jr., was born August 23, 1898 and died June 30, 1973. His wife, Frieda Pfeiffer, is deceased. Christina, born July 9, 1901, resides at Eureka with her husband, Jacob Knapp. Rosina, wife of Julius Krein, was born August 19, 1903 and died December 10, 1985. Ada was born May 9, 1905 and died December 20, 1979. She was the wife of Calvin Mehlhaff, deceased. August, born August 28, 1907, resides at Eureka with his wife, Emma, nee Ladner. Martha, born June 28, 1910, resides at Rapid City, South Dakota with her husband, Gustave Mettler. Erna, born March 25, 1912, resides at Eureka with her husband, Bert Stroh. Eugene was born August 23, 1915 and resides in Aberdeen, South Dakota, with his wife, Martha, nee Weishaar. Jacob D. and Katharina farmed 13 miles northeast of Eureka near the old Opp homestead until 1942 when they retired in Eureka. The couple moved to the Lutheran Home in early 1961. Jacob D. died March 10, 1961, and Katharina died April 2, 1966. The couple had been wed for 68 years.

Jacob married Catherina Neuharth about 1892. Catherina (daughter of Georg Neuhardt Neuharth and Elisabetha Rosin) was born on 23 Dec 1874 in Menno, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 2 Apr 1966 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Katharina married Rudolph Hilgemann on 8 Dec 1914 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Rudolph was born on 17 May 1892 in McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 23 Jun 1958 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Gustave Hilgemann. Gustave was born in 1897 in South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Schumack. John was born on 5 Jan 1885 in South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Fred Mayer. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/David-Alan-Christianson/FILE/0004text.txt
JACOB D. OPP, JR. Jacob D. Opp, Jr., son of Jacob D. Opp, Sr. and Katharina Neuharth Opp, was born August 23, 1898 on a farm twelve and one-half miles northeast of Eureka and grew to manhood there. Frieda Pfeiffer, daughter of John Pfeiffer and Bertha Werre Pfeiffer, was born at Glenham, South Dakota on February 12, 1906, but moved with her parents to a farm eight miles northeast of Eureka while still very young; as a result, she and her future husband lived only five miles apart during their childhood and youth. Jacob and Frieda were married on November 8, 1923 and settled on a farm 13 miles northeast of Eureka. A year later they moved to another farm five miles southeast of Mound City. After two years they moved back to their first farm home and lived there until August 1952, when they sold out and moved into Eureka, where Jacob was employed by the Eureka Equity Exchange for eleven years. Ten children, all still living and in good health, came to bless the Opp home during the years. They are: Priscilla, born in 1925 and married to Alvin Schmitt of Long Lake, South Dakota. Alvin is employed at Safeguard Industries, Aberdeen, South Dakota. They have two children, Walter and Marilyn Gibbs and four grandchildren. Gilbert, born in 1926 and living at Eureka, South Dakota. Hilmer, born in 1928 and living at Albert Lea, Minnesota. He married Genevieve Retzer of Ashley, North Dakota and is employed at the Produce State Bank at Albert Lea, Minnesota. They have three sons, Steve, Brian and Charles and two grandchildren. Lorraine, born in 1931 and living at Eureka, South Dakota, married Eugene Meidinger of Eureka, South Dakota, now deceased. Lorraine is employed at Opp's Clothier and has two children, Terrance and Shirley Lund, and three granddaughters. Milo, born in 1933 and living at Eureka, South Dakota. Married Arlene Wenzel of Eureka, South Dakota. Milo owns Opp's Clothier in Eureka, South Dakota. Their children are Timothy, Michael, Sharie and Spencer, and they have three grandchildren. Lawrence, born in 1935 at Eureka, South Dakota is now living at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He married Florence Aman of Hosmer, South Dakota. He is employed by the United States Federal Government, they have one daughter, Charlotte. Reinhold, born in 1938 at Eureka, South Dakota, is married to Diane LeBlanc from Fitchburg, Massachusetts and now lives at Pierz, Minnesota. He is Superintendent of Schools at Pierz, they have two children, Robyne and Rustin. Harry, born in 1941 at Eureka, South Dakota married Carol Gukeisen from Parkston, South Dakota. Harry is employed by the school system at Underwood, Minnesota. They have two daughters, Jodi and Kerri. Gloria, born in 1943 at Eureka, South Dakota, married Clyde Gilbert from Keystone, South Dakota. He is self-employed in Masonry Construction, they live in Rapid City, South Dakota and they have six children, Tena, Cory, Jennifer, Shaun, Jimmy and Justin. Geraldine, born in 1945 at Eureka, South Dakota, is married to Gary Schnabel of Eureka, South Dakota. Geraldine is employed at Area IV Senior Nutrition Project and Gary is employed at N & S Building Supply in Eureka, South Dakota. They have one daughter, Bobbi Jo. Frieda passed away on January 24, 1967 and Jacob on June 30, 1973 at Eureka, South Dakota.

Jacob married Frieda Pfeiffer on 8 Nov 1923 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Frieda (daughter of John Pfeiffer and Bertha Werre) was born on 12 Feb 1906 in South Dakota, USA; died on 24 Jan 1967 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christina married Jacob Knapp on 5 May 1921 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Jacob (son of Johannes Knapp and Philippina Körner) was born on 3 Apr 1897 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rosa married Julius Krein on 11 Dec 1924 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Julius (son of Friedrich Krein and Margaretha Mehlhaff) was born on 10 Jan 1903 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 28 Aug 1980 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown Mehlhaff. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/David-Alan-Christianson/FILE/0004text.txt
AUGUST AND EMMA OPP August was one of ten children in the family of Jacob D. and Katharina (Neuharth) Opp, born northeast of Eureka on August 28, 1907. Jacob D. was born April 25, 1870 in South Russia and died April 10, 1961. August and Emma Opp Katharina was born December 23, 1874 in Menno and died April 2, 1966. August's brothers and sisters are: Katharina Hilgemann, Eureka, Elizabeth Hilgemann, deceased, Jacob, deceased, Christina Knapp, Eureka; Rosa Krein, deceased, Ada Mehlhaff, deceased; Martha Mettler, Rapid City; Erna Stroh, Eureka and Eugene, Aberdeen. Emma was born May 27, 1909 at Eureka to John and Maria (Gruneich) Ladner. John was born August 2, 1884 in Russia and died June 13, 1959. Maria was born July 11, 1889 at Ashley and died February 15, 1978. Emma has three brothers, Julius, Eureka; Barney, deceased; and Reinie, Lead. August and Emma were married February 28, 1929. They farmed northeast of Eureka until their retirement. After their move into Eureka, August worked for Coop Lumber Yard for a few years. August enjoyed playing baseball for many years, and he also enjoyed bowling. Emma had enjoyed gardening and homemaking. They both now reside at Sunrise Addition, Eureka. They are members of the Reformed Church. Three children were born to this couple. Clarence, born July 1, 1930, married Luceil Klipfel of Ashley in 1951. They have two children, Carmen, married to Mike Nelson, living at Fremont, Nebraska, and Keith, married to Audhild Tofle, living in Oslo, Norway. Carmen and Mike have two children, Jillion and Benjamin. Violet, born September 30, 1935, married Marvin Kramlich on October 18, 1970 and lives at Lehr, North Dakota. Virginia, born December 27, 1946, married Duane Doerr on June 5, 1966. They have two children, Kirsten Marie and Ryan Lee, and live in Aberdeen.

August married Emma Christina Ladner on 28 Feb 1929. Emma (daughter of Johannes H. Ladner and Maria Grueneich) was born on 27 May 1909 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 31 Jul 1987. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married Gustave Mettler on 28 Feb 1929 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Gustave (son of Frederick Valentine Mettler and Paulina Knapp) was born on 27 Feb 1907 in Odessa Township, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 6 Sep 1993 in South Dakota, USA; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Erna married Berthold Stroh on 7 May 1933 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Berthold (son of Jakob Stroh and Lydia Retzer) was born on 16 Jun 1911 in Venturia, McIntosh County, North Dakota, USA; died on 27 Jan 1992 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eugene married Martha Marie Weishaar on 15 Nov 1936 in South Dakota, USA. Martha (daughter of Johannes Weisshaar Weishaar and Magdalena Ehmann) was born on 9 Mar 1916 in South Dakota, USA; died on 29 Feb 2012 in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA; was buried on 7 Mar 2012 in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Malinda married Edwin Stroh [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Oscar married Frieda Christina Retzer on 25 Oct 1938 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Frieda (daughter of Christian J. Retzer and Carolina Bender) was born on 9 Apr 1916 in South Dakota, USA; died on 22 Aug 1965 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Julia Heyda. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rosetta married Reinhold J. Schnabel on 17 Oct 1946 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Reinhold (son of Conrad Schnabel and Eva Dewald) was born on 27 Jun 1917 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 25 Mar 2009 in Waterford at All Saints, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; was buried on 2 Apr 2009 in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alice married Reuben Beck on 19 Oct 1948 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Fay Constance Hamilton. Fay was born on 2 Sep 1911 in Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA; died on 23 Aug 1981 in Brown County, South Dakota, USA; was buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ardith Ann Young. Ardith was born on 11 Apr 1921 in Leola, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 4 Aug 1999 in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA; was buried in Green Mound Cemetery, Leola, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Priscilla married Alvin Gerhard Schmitt on 5 Nov 1944 in McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Alvin (son of Johannes J. Schmitt and Rosina Mohr) was born on 7 Oct 1920; died on 24 Jul 1988 in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Genevieve Retzer. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lorraine married Eugene M. Meidinger [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Howard Mettler. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Milo married Arlene Wenzel [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lawrence married Florence Aman [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Diane LeBlanc. Diane was born in in Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Harry married Carol Gukeisen on 1 Feb 1964 in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Clyde Gilbert. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Gary Schnabel. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/David-Alan-Christianson/FILE/0004text.txt
ORVILLE KNAPP

Orville Knapp family

Orville Knapp was born at Eureka, South Dakota on October 19, 1924, to Jacob
and Christina (Opp) Knapp. He received his grade school education near there.
He served in Attu in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. He was married
to Wilma Opp on December 1, 1946 at Eureka, South Dakota, following his
honorable discharge from the U. S. Army. In October of 1947 the couple
purchased the Calvin Mehlhaff farm located two and one-half miles south of
Eureka where they actively farmed until it became necessary to discontinue due
to Orville's diabetes, sight loss and eventual total kidney failure. From
April, 1983 he had continual dialysis treatment twice weekly at the V.A.
Hospital, Minneapolis, then three times weekly at St. Luke's Hospital traveling
500 miles weekly to Aberdeen. In October 1983 he had his first kidney
transplant at the V. A. Hospital in Minneapolis which again had to be removed
ten days later due to a blood clot in the kidney. In August of 1983 our new
home was started in Eureka which we moved into on November 11, 1983. In
December of that year our own dialysis unit was installed by the V. A. His
dialyist was Carla Rohrbach until he received his second kidney transplant in
October 1984. Six months later our home dialysis unit was removed from our home
and placed in the local clinic where it is currently being utilized by Julius
Boschee, Zeeland. Our room was then converted into a fourth bedroom in the lower
level. Since then to the present, Orville has had repeated surgeries for
abdominal infection and had cataract surgery and a lens implant done in
January of 1986 with hopes of having the same done in the other eye in April of
1986. Because of illness Orville was forced to retire at age 55 from farming
and employment with Eureka Equity Exchange as a licensed plumber, later working
in the automotive department at the Farm Store. He served on the County ASCS
committee, on the McPherson County Education Board, was active in the American
Legion, a member of the VFW and enjoyed bowling and golfing.

Wilma Opp was born June 3, 1926 at Eureka, South Dakota to John J. and Emelia
(Lapp) Opp. She received her grade school education near there and graduated
from Eureka High School in 1945. She attended Northern Normal in Aberdeen for a
summer session in 1945 and taught rural school for one year before her marriage
and one year following. On March 13, 1961 she began her job at the Northwest
Blade and this year will observe 25 years of continuous employment there as
typesetter, bookkeeper and secretary, having worked under three different
editors, currently Arlo C. Mehlhaff. She is a member of the Farmerettes Club,
American Legion Auxiliary and enjoys yard work, cooking, embroidering and
reading.

Daughter Marcia Kay was born to the couple on March 28, 1948 at Eureka where
she attended grade and high school. For the past 12 years she has been employed
as a nurses aide at the Eureka Lutheran Home and continues to live with her
parents. Her hobbies include embroidering, latchhook craft and bowling.

Daughter Sheila Ann was born October 5, 1953 at Eureka, where she attended
grade school, graduating from Eureka High School in 1971. She attended Northern
State College in Aberdeen for one year and completed her additional four years
at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota where she received
her pharmacy degree in May 1976. On May 18, 1974 she was united in marriage to
William Fred Hoffman at Eureka Reformed Church. William graduated from South
Dakota State University, Brookings in 1976 with degrees in Chemistry and
Biology, later attended two years of study at Westminster Seminary in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He operated the business known as Hoffman Parts and
Service at Leola until selling out. At present he teaches math courses
part-time at Aberdeen Central High School and also is working towards his
masters degree at Northern State College. They adopted a son, Jared
Christopher, at age six and one-half months in September of 1980 who was born
March 17, 1980. Jared attends kindergarten currently at the Baptist Christian
School in Aberdeen, where the family lives in their mobile home at Lakeside
Estates.

Sheila is employed as a full-time pharmacist at Osco Drug, Aberdeen and
previously had worked in both drug stores in Eureka and surrounding towns
including Aberdeen.

Orville Knapp died May 1, 1986.

Orville married Wilma Opp on 1 Dec 1946 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. Wilma (daughter of John J. Opp and Emelia Augustine Lapp) was born on 3 Jun 1926 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 11 Nov 2016 in Eureka, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA; was buried in Eureka Cemetery, McPherson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Myra married Elmer Bentz [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Leon Halstead. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/David-Alan-Christianson/FILE/0004text.txt
CLARENCE AND LUCEIL OPP Clarence Opp family Clarence Opp was born July 1, 1930 in Eureka, South Dakota to August and Emma Opp who farmed near Eureka until they retired to the Eureka Sunrise Addition. Clarence has two sisters: Violet (Mrs. Marvin Kramlich) and Virginia (Mrs. Duane Doerr). Luceil Klipfel was born at Ashley, North Dakota on February 19, 1933 to Julius and Ruth (Haerter) Klipfel. She has one brother, Roger, and a sister, JoAnn (Mrs. Duane Goebel). Clarence Opp and Luceil Klipfel were married October 7, 1951 and moved to the Art Opp farm northeast of Eureka. They lived through a hard winter their first year. There was so much snow they couldn't get their car out for six weeks. Their neighbors, Alvin Opp's, would pick them up with a homemade sled and a team of horses so they could market their eggs and cream. After three years they moved to the Art Pfeifle farm, then in 1962 they purchased the August Opp homestead where they are still living at this time. Clarence and Luceil Opp have two children: Carmen, born June 15, 1952, attended Eureka School and Northern State College at Aberdeen. She works as a secretary and is an aerobics instructor. She married Mike Nelson on August 12, 1972, they have two children: Jillian Ruth and Benjamen Mike and live in Fremont, Nebraska. Keith, born July 16, 1954 attended school in Eureka and Lake Area Vo Tech at Watertown, South Dakota where he graduated as an Auto Mechanic in 1974. He was in the military service from 1975 to 1978. He married Audhild Tofte March 1, 1985 at Oslo, Norway where he is a pilot for Aerial Photography. The Clarence Opps are members of the Eureka Reformed Church where they both teach Sunday School and sing in the choir. Clarence is a past J. C. member, member of Sportsman Club, and served on the Rural School Board, County A.S.C.S. He has played baseball and softball and enjoys horseshoe and bowling. Luceil is a member of Reformed Ladies Aid, Eureka Theatrical Co., was a 4-H Leader and works at the Midway Cafe. She enjoys sewing, knitting, crocheting and gardening.

Clarence married Luceil Klipfel [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Duane Doerr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ken Jackels. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elsie Heiser. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stanley married Alice Heiser on 22 Feb 1957 in Herreid, Campbell County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Maurice Henry Skie. Maurice was born on 5 Oct 1932; died on 20 Dec 1985; was buried in Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Lloyd Jung. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Frederick married Lila Stoebner [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Pam Koupel. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Cathy Parker. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wilbert married Sharon L. Adrian on 22 May 1977 in California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elton married Vicky Lynn Strole on 6 May 1967. Vicky was born on 13 Jun 1951; died on 25 Nov 2009 in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Lavern Edward Hinz. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Jean Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Danny Gibbs. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Michael McGrath. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Michael Frober. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Justin Colbert. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Todd Carr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]