Opal Wicks

Opal was born June 19, 1920, at Spencer, Iowa, the daughter of John O. and Balinda (Chritianson) Sandvig.Opal was raised and educated near Ruthven, Iowa were she was baptised and confirmed at Zion Luthran Church. She lived on her family farm and, following her graduation from Ruthven High School, she attended and graduated from Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. She taught in a country school until she was married Thomas Wicks, Jr. on June 18, 1944 in Yankton, South Dakota. The couple lived briefly in the Twin Cities before moving to Elmore in 1948, where they established Wicks Funeral Home. Opal was very active in most areas of the funeral home operation for over 35 years. Her husband died in 1983 and Opal continued care for Elmore families at the funeral home for several years. In 1997 Opal moved to Friendship Lane in Blue Earth and later to St. Luke''s Lutheran Care Center. She was a longtime active member of Shiloh Lutheran Church where she partcipated in choir, ladies aide and quilting circle. Opal was quite accomplished at hardunger and was active in various community service groups and events in the Elmore area through the years.She is survived by her son, Thomas G. (& wife Helen) Wicks, III of Eden Prairie, son, John (& wife Dagmar) Wicks of Sacramento, California, sister, Florence Osher of Ruthven, Iowa and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.Opal was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 1983, brother- Leslie Sandvig, grandson- Eric Wicks, nephew- Dale Osher and niece- Denise Gass.