Opal Irene Brue-Deertz, 91, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Great Plains Health.
Opal was born August 12, 1923, to Thomas Henry and Eunice Beatrice Wilson Philby at Brazil, IA. When she was 3 years old, her mom died and her father married Sadie Stuckwell. They made their home in Moravia, IA where Opal grew up and attended school.
In 1940 Opal married Dale Eugene Brue in Newton, IA. They lived in Newton and both worked for Maytag. During W.W.II the factory converted to making brass bomb shells and Opal was known as a “Rosie the Riveter” for being a woman working outside the home for the war effort. In 1954 the family moved to Sterling, CO where Opal began her hospital career. She worked for Sterling Hospital until 1961 when they moved to Nebraska. Opal then worked at the Sidney Hospital for four years before moving to North Platte in 1965 and going to work for St. Mary’s and later Memorial Hospital. After 44 years of marriage, Dale passed away in 1984.
Opal married George August Deertz, Jr. in 1985 and they continued to live in North Platte. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and had very strong religious beliefs. Opal was also very musically inclined and loved to play all kinds of instruments. She enjoyed sharing her music in nursing homes, churches and various other places. Opal also had a special place in her heart for animals as she donated food to the animal shelter each week.
She is survived by her husband, George, and children, Gary (Joan) Brue, Patricia (Larry) Golden and Deloris ‘Dee’ Fugate (special friend, Tom Neidhardt), all of North Platte; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other family.
Along with her first husband, Dale, Opal was preceded in death by a grandson, Eugene Golden; her sister, Lorena Huff; brothers, Clifford and Perry; her parents, Thomas and Eunice; and stepmothers, Sadie Stuckwell Philby and Susie Wood Knudsen Philby.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Ryan Alexander of the Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Inurnment will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Animal Shelter.