R.I.P. Spc. Christopher W. Opat

Army Spc. Christopher W. Opat
Died June 15, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

29, of Spencer, Iowa; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died June 15 in Baqubah, Iraq of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident.

(The following was taken from www.emmetsburgnews.com of June 22, 2010) Spc. Christopher Opat, 29, of Lime Springs, died June 15, 2010, while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army in Baqubah, Iraq.

Christopher Wesley Opat was born in Jefferson City, MO on April 15, 1981, the son of Leslie and Mary (Goodlaxson) Opat. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at Lourdes, IA.

Chris moved with his family to the Lime Springs, Cresco area when he was about one year old. He attended Notre Dame Grade school and graduated from Crestwood High School in 2000. He then earned an Associate degree from Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg.

Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003, completed his basic and Advanced Individual Training, and was previously stationed at Babenhausen, Germany.

He was presently assigned to Troop D, 1st Squadron, 14th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.

Christopher loved the Army and was serving his third tour for Iraqi Freedom at the time of his death.

When Chris’ grandfather was living, he liked to go fishing with him. He was an avid Hawkeye fan who loved to watch the Hawkeyes play football and basketball. He also enjoyed cooking and liked to create his own recipes.

Chris was a loving son, brother and uncle. He was a gentle person with an adventurous spirit.

He is survived by his parents, Leslie Opat of Lime Springs, and Mary Opat of Cresco; sisters, Anita (fiancé Dan Hengel) of Chatfield, MN and Melissa Opat of Cresco; brothers, Leslie (Jennifer) of Queen Creek, AZ, Phillip of Port Huenene, CA, and Jason of Tempe, AZ; a nephew, Wesley Opat and two nieces, Payton Opat and Alexis Folstad.

Also surviving are his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Charlotte Goodlaxson of Emmetsburg and his paternal grandmother, Dolores Opat of Clear Lake.

Chris was preceded in death by his grandfather, Wesley Opat.

Mass of Christian Burial

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 24, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco. The Rev. Richard J. Ament will officiate.

Honorary bearers are Les Opat, Phillip Opat, Jason Opat, Mike Opat, Steve Opat, Luke Dickens, Jeff Jamison, Kelly Goodlaxson, Allen Goodlaxson and Jack Goodlaxson.

Casket bearers are members of the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Unit.

Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery at Elma. Military services will be conducted by members of the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Unit.