Funeral Service: Friday, February 23, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church
Interment: Custer County Cemetery
Opal Emma Ferris, age 90, died Saturday morning, February 17, 2007 surrounded by family members at her son's home in Miles City.
Kinsey was her home for 64 years until she moved into the Eagles Manor in 2004. Opal, the second of five children, was born June 13, 1916 at the family homestead in central Wheatland County to Herman and Bertha Muller.
Homestead life forged in Opal a pioneer spirit that endured her entire life. Memories of driving a third team of horses to the Snowy Mountains to harvest timber, stacking thistles for cattle feed in the dry 30s, and the rigors of pioneer life on the Montana plains were always favorite stories to her younger generations. The art of surviving by growing, canning, and cooking, learned in her youth lasted throughout her life. Opals kitchen was always hectic in late August as she prepared for the Kinsey and County Fairs.
Opal attended grade school at Nihill, an hour from home by horse and buggy, and high school at Hedgesville. She then received a 2-year teaching degree at Normal School in Billings. She first taught at a country school north of Custer and then at Ashland where she met the love of her life, DeVere. They married and later moved to the irrigated project at Kinsey, MT where she soon reentered her teaching career. She was active in her Kinsey Community Church and Ladies Aid, 50-year member of First UMC, member of Esther UMW Circle, Homemakers Club, Bowling League and Rebekkah Lodge.
She is survived by 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren: Karen (Harland) Simmons of Royal, NC, Bonnie (John), Dustin, Kaylea & Christina Peterson of Palacios, Texas; Belinda (Albert), Kerianne & Jackson Summerlin of Greenville, NC; Jim (Karen) Ferris, Troy (Dolly), Macey & Shelby; Danel & friend Rob of Miles City, MT; Orrin (Sharon) Ferris, Lori (Ken), Allison, Emily & Anna Belgarde of Billings, MT; Chad (Jill) Ferris of Columbus, MT & Kent (Jodi), Trent, Kailee & Atlee Ferris of Presque Isle, ME. Opal is also survived by her elder sister Grace Myers of Harlowton; sister-in-law Nelda Muller of Bridger, MT, numerous nieces, nephews and their families and her beloved friends and neighbors.
Opal was preceded in death by her husband DeVere, her parents, sisters Pearl Mills & Gladys Nelson, brother Alvin Muller and grandchild Justin Ferris.
Memorials may be sent to Kinsey School, Kinsey, MT 59338, First United Methodist Church, 24 North 11th, Miles City, MT 59301, Intermountain Children's Home, 500 South Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601 or the memorial of your choice.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Add your thoughts and memories. Upon approval they will be added.