Ruben Jacob Opp passed away on the morning of June 15, 2024 at his home in Yuma, AZ. His loving wife of 72 years, June was by his side as he was called home by his heavenly father.
Originally from Plevna, MT , Ruben was the 4th of 5 children born to Jacob C. Opp and Emma
(Follmer) Opp. Although for most of his life he celebrated his birthday on January 22, it was
discovered that he was actually born on January 21, 1932. Family legend is: the First Baptist
Church in Plevna is where Ruben first laid eyes on his future bride when she attended Sunday
service at two weeks old. Ruben would give June rides around town on his bike during the school year as kids. Eventually Ruben would make a weekly drive out to the Kussler farm to spend time with June on Sunday after church, he knew he had found his match.
After graduating from high school at 17, Ruben moved to Miles City to take a job at Northwest
Freight Lines. This move did not stop his Sunday visits to the Kussler farm and after a year long
engagement, June and Ruben were married on September 14, 1952 at the Plevna church where they had met all those years ago.
The following year, on September 5th, they welcomed their first son Ronald. Their second son
Steven was born on May 19, 1955. With a growing family, they bought their home at 704 Yellowstone in Miles City where they raised their boys, welcomed two daughters-in-law and their first grandaughter, Chantennell, Gandsons Brandon, Cody, David and Brian and their first great granddaughter, Nataile. They lived in the home until 2019.
Faith was the cornerstone on which they built their lives. Both were very active members of the First Baptist Church in Miles city, where Ruben was a deacon, they sang in choir and even sang duets on TV. Ruben lived and practiced his faith every day, at home, the Bible was always close at hand and read daily for inspiration and devotion. This devotion to God and to each other kept their marriage strong and on September 16, 2023 Ruben and June attended the wedding of their grandson, David where they danced together as the longest married couple in attendance. It was a wonderful event where Ruben and June had their entire family in attendance.
Ruben was a wiz with numbers, a fierce boardgame competitor and harmonica player. He maintained their home with pride and was very loyal to his family, friends and employer. Even
though the company changed hands many times during his career, Ruben was the one constant, delivering goods and making friends around town until his retirement in 1994.
He loved to travel, taking camping vacations when their kids were young led to international travel when their boys were grown. Together Ruben and June visited several countries and most of the United States. After retirement, they took flight as snowbirds avoiding the harsh Montana winters in Arizona in their 5th wheel trailer. They trekked back to Montana each summer to enjoy their home and garden until 2019, when Ruben retired from yardwork and they moved permanently to Yuma, AZ leaving the lawnmower behind.
Family was Rubens pride and joy. Along with his wife June he has two sons, five grandchildren, two great granddaughters – and a third on the way. Ruben was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Emma (Follmer) Opp. He is survived by his wife June (Kusler) Opp, his son Ron and his wife Kathryn (Pranger) Opp, his son Steve and his wife Thresa (Wild) Opp. Granchildren, Chantannell Dahl, Brandon and wife Rachel (Monaco) Wild, Cody and his wife Kasia (Harvey) Opp, David and his wife Tracy (Gould) Opp, Brian and his wife Maria (Penaloza) Opp and Greatgrandchildren, Natalie Opp, Morgan Opp.
If friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, St Judes and The First Baptist Church of Miles City.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Michael Brabant says
Ruben was a neat man , he would never age , would deliver candy and cigarettes and chips when I worked for Gierke distributions , be missed
Mencella Carlson says
June and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May the memories of all your wonderful travels bring you comfort in the times ahead. God be with you all, Mencella
Jerry and Gayle Struck says
I remember Ruben delivering freight to our store for years, Always upbeat and with a kind word.You with always remember this man, You will be missed, He was the real deal!
Denise Oberlander Harvey says
Heaven has gained another Ruben! Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Always such a kind man and family!
Katy Harbaugh says
June and family:
Sorry for your loss. May your memories keep you at this time.
I’ll always remember the great smile and the kindness he showed my brother Jamie. Always stopping what ever he was doing for a chat when Jamie would pass.
Katy (Butler) Harbaugh
Sheila Rickett says
June im so sorry to hear this. He was a great guy. Miss you guys as a neighbor. God be with you
Karen Morris says
So many memories (all good) and so much time (where did it all go). I consider myself blessed to have had the Opp family as a part of my life. May you find comfort in your memories. God bless.
Ian and Rissa says
June so sad to see this. We know your strong faith in our Heavenly Father will help you through this difficult time. I know your family will be a comfort to you as well. We miss you as neighbors but we are thankful you are close to family. Sincerely the Seabolts at 620 Yellowstone.
Ella Mae Morris Drane. says
June you had the best,but then so did Ruben!God’s Blessings sweet friend
Marc and Denise Hartse says
Ruben was an extremely nice person and lived just down the block from us. I also knew him from working at the old SuperAmerica convenience store and always marveled at how such a small man could do such heavy delivery work. Denise and I are greatly saddened by this news. Our sympathies and condolences to the entire family.
Sandy Meidinger says
So sorry for your loss,Ruban was a very nice guy and you two were so nice to visit with at the First Baptist Church.
The lord be with you today and always.
God bless you and your family!!
Sandy Meidinger
Laura Jane Willson says
So sorry to learn of Ruban’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kevin and Sheila Krausz says
June and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Ruben was a great guy. May your memories of him bring you comfort. God bless.
Paulette Baugatz says
June and family so sorry to hear about your loss. Dad (Leanord Follmer) and family are thinking of you. Dad is a cousin of Rubens. Our prayers are with you.
Dennis Pluhar says
Steve and Family, …my sympathy and condolences….Did not know your father but he raised a good son…we sure had fun in high school….GOD bless U-all.
Dawn Bolejack Leidholt says
June and family- So Sorry for your loss! Ruben was such a sweet man. May your fond memories of him bring you comfort. God Bless
Linda & Dallas Wildman says
Dallas and my prayers are with you. We remember the wonderful times in Red Lodge when you both visited. You were both treasured friends of Evie and Mencel.
Linda & Dallas Wildman
LaVerne Jones Hebner says
My sympathy to Ruben’s family. I remember you both and the two boys (I thought they were twins) when we attended the 1st Baptist Church as a newly wed couple. I was a M.C. girl and Elwin was “one of those guys from the Radar Base”. We have had many memories of the people there who were so welcoming and the Opp family was certainly at the top of the list. I understand and share your grief as my husband left us in May for his new home of peace and love. We’ll all be meeting there before long.
Sandi Bruce says
June I’m sorry for your loss. Whenever I go past your house here in Miles City I smile and remember your and Ruben kindness. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Jenna Goben says
So sorry aunt June for your loss uncle Ruben will be greatly missed. Love you very much!
Donna Orthman says
I remember Ruben and June from the time I lived across the alley from them in Miles City. Very nice couple. Sorry for your loss.
Kathy Lorenzen says
So very sorry for your loss. He was a really nice man. He will be missed
God Bless you all
Melinda Tangen says
Reuben delivered my Home Interior freight for seven years. I really missed him when he retired. He was such a a nice man and my kids loved it on freight day. When my son was about three, he climbed into the back of the truck while Reuben and I chatted, gave us both a fright, then a laugh. You could tell he enjoyed kids. My condolences to Reuben’s family, I hope you have lots of wonderful memories to share with each other too.