Born July 17, 1915, Opal Tranmer was only three years old, the youngest of five children born to Nora and Earl (Romans) Tranmer of rural Bertha neighborhood, when her father fell victim to the influenza epidemic two days before Christmas. It would be the first of many life experiences to contribute to the steadfast and resilient character of a very special woman.

At the age of 92 years Opal passed away Thursday, January 10, 2008 at her Oakland Heights residence after years of declining health. With the exception of a single decade, she was a lifelong resident of Burt County.  She was preceded in death by her parents; older siblings: Ralph Tranmer and Smokey Tranmer, Goldie Maw and Nora “Dutchie” Sanderson, her first husband: Vergil C. Carlson; grandson: Brent Appleby and her second husband: Albert “Ab” Shepard. 

Grieving her absence will be her children: Loy Carlson of Lyons, andKay and Lee Appleby of rural Decatur: stepchildren: Jim Shepard of Florida, Nancy Shepard and Susan Gray of Lexington; grandchildren: Vicky Wittmaack of Lincoln, Tad Appleby of Arizona, Kelly Aylward of California, Kim Southwell of Texas and Karlin Hughes of Colorado; thirteen great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and extended family members: Jo and Loren Daberkow of Lexington.

Until a young girl her widowed mother raised her children on the Tranmer family farm, then moved to Lyons. Opal graduated from Lyons High School in 1933. 

During the depression era, on October 2, 1934, Opal eloped with her favorite dancing partner, Vergil Carlson of Oakland, marrying in LeMars, Iowa. The couple struggled through lean farming years in the Bertha neighborhood, became parents and were regarded as the “kids” of the close knit neighborhood. They would later describe the challenging era with memories rich in love and steeped in family loyalties. “Just like the Waltons” Opal would explain.  

In 1955 the Carlson’s moved to Lyons where Opal entered the retail world, working as a clerk at Little’s Dry Goods while Vergil was employed by State of Nebraska Department of Roads and farmed with his father. In 1959 the couple moved to Oakland when they went into partnership with Bob Little to establish Carlson-Little Dry Goods. After a few years the Carlson’s assumed complete ownership and would later open a second main street business, Carlson’s Men and Boys Clothing,  as well as taking the reins of the Carlson family farm located west of town.  During this period Opal served as an officer for the Chamber of Commerce, helped promote the Swedish Festival and served as a Burt County Extension Board member.  After Vergil’s sudden death in December, 1974, Opal left Main Street to work as a bookkeeper for Great Plains for six years. When circumstances led her to reformat her former dry goods business, she opened Carlson Variety operating her small business until at age of 70, she liquidated the business upon her “first retirement” in 1985. 

Her sunset years brought a new life chapter when a class reunion rekindled her friendship with a former high school friend Albert Shepard of Lexington. They were married on January 4, 1989, living in Lexington for the next decade. During her “retirement” she worked in the clothing departments of Wal Mart and later lent her retail experience as a volunteer in a Christian thrift shop.  In 1999 the couple returned to their hometown community of Lyons. After Ab’s death in May 2005, Opals declining health dictated a simpler lifestyle. Throughout 2007 illness and frequent hospitalizations eventually necessitated residency at the Oakland Heights care center. 

Opal’s hallmarks were a cheery smile and endearing ways, laced with a strong work ethic, a distinctive creative writing style and her love for family. Although originally authored as a life history, her book “Jelly Side Down” was enjoyed by many friends and traveled many miles “on loan”. 

In her words, “I am thankful for my blessings because as it has been said, “Tomorrows are promised to no one.”

FUNERAL SERVICES: Monday, January 14, 2008, 1:30 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland.

BURIAL:OaklandCemetery

VISITATION:  Sunday, January 13, 2008, 1 – 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland and Monday at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. 

MEMORIALS:  Oakland Heights, Oakland Mercy Hospital Tree of Love

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pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com