Milo Opp

Milo Opp, age 91, passed away on December 27, 2024, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital. Visitation will be held on January 2, 2025, from 5-7pm and funeral services at 10:30am on January 3, 2025, at the Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home in Aberdeen, SD with Pastor Hank Bowen officiating. Milo was born on September 26, 1933, at Eureka, SD to Jacob D. Opp, Jr., and Frieda Pfeiffer Opp. Burial will be at 2:00pm, at the Eureka City Cemetery, Eureka, SD.
Milo spent the first 18 years of his life on a farm 15 miles northeast of Eureka. In 1951 his parents moved the family to Eureka. He attended country school until the 8th grade and finished his schooling at Eureka High School graduating in 1952. He attended summer school at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD and then taught at a country school for 2 years.
Milo was united in marriage to Arlene Wenzel on February 14, 1954, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Eureka. They were fortunate to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this past year. The marriage being on Valentine's Day gave Milo a break in having to only buy one gift for Arlene for Valentine's & Anniversary. To this union four children were born: sons Timothy, Philippines; Michael (Karen), Aberdeen; Spencer (Lisa), Aberdeen and one daughter, Sharie Dorzok (Jay Sandness) of Mitchell, SD. The couple lived most of their married life in Eureka but moved to Aberdeen in 2008 to be closer to children and grandchildren.
The majority of Milo's career was in the clothing business. He was employed at Tradehome Shoes in Aberdeen for one year followed by 17 years at Wenzel's Clothing in Eureka. In 1973 Milo & Arlene purchased the business and renamed it Opp's Clothier Inc. They ran the business for 22 years and closed it in 1995. In addition to the clothing business Milo ventured into the restaurant business after the Silver Keg, which was located just north of Opp's Clothier, burned to the ground. They rebuilt the establishment, renamed it "The Midway" and reopened in August 1979.
Milo was involved in the community serving as President of the Eureka Jaycees, the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, and the Eureka Senior Center and he was the Treasurer of the Eureka Pioneer Museum for many years. Milo was very active over the years enjoying basketball, bowling, baseball, softball, hunting, fishing, golf, and card playing. Special memories that he was fortunate to be part of were a state championship Eureka Indies amateur baseball team and had two holes in one in golf.
Grateful for having shared Milo's life are his wife, Arlene; his four children, grandchildren Kristen (Carson Rauthe) Opp, Kevin (Britni) Opp, Ashley (Josh DeJong) Dorzok, Austin (Kim) Dorzok, Jaelyn Opp, Domini (Dalton) Auel, Lachelle (Gabe) Swanson and Jamison Opp; great-grandchildren Adeline, Amos, Jacob, Joseph, John, Kaden, Mylee, Ryker and two more on the way; and siblings Lorraine Mettler, Lawrence Opp, Reinhold Opp, Gloria Gilbert and Geraldine Schnabel. He was preceded in death by parents Jacob & Freida Opp; sister Priscilla Schmidt and brothers Gilbert, Hilmer and Harry Opp.
Milo was a lifelong member of the Reformed Church in Eureka and later at the First Reformed Church of Aberdeen.