Opal Louise Barker
Opal Louise Barker
PEMBINE, Wis. — Opal Louise Barker of Pembine, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Optalis Healthcare in Kingsford. Opal was born in Wausaukee, Wis., on Aug. 22, 1929, to the late Lowell and Mabel Lytle at her grandmother’s home. She was 94 years old and the eldest of eight children.
She is survived by her daughter, Louise (Dale) Wender; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Barker; sons, Eric Barker and Mark Barker; as well as her parents and several siblings.
Opal graduated from Pembine High School and immediately left the area to be a live-in nanny in Illinois, where she worked for many years. She met presidents and famous people through her work with wealthy families and never regretted her years away. She had many stories to share. She married Marvin Barker, and they and their children resided in California and Illinois, before eventually settling back in Milwaukee and then Pembine.
An avid reader her whole life, Opal could usually be found with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. There was always a bag of candy or sweets nearby. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, especially her eldest, Stacy Bruno, whose love and kindness for her grandma was unrivaled. Opal also loved to travel, and some of her fondest memories were of vacations that she took with her daughter, Louise.
Opal was a hard worker who ran various businesses throughout her lifetime, including a hardware store, feed mill, gas station and campground. Though she worked tirelessly, sometimes seven days a week, she always found time to lend a sympathetic ear to anyone and became sort of the “Dear Abby” of Pembine. Her store was a gathering place, and people gravitated to her. Always upbeat and optimistic, she could find the good in anyone or anything and never failed to help a person in need. Her motto was “live and let live,” and she witnessed a lot of living in her 94 years.
She was open minded with a heart of gold and rolled with whatever life threw her way. Her favorite saying was, “every knock is a boost,” and she faced life with a smile and a fighting spirit. To say she was strong would be an understatement.
Though small in stature, she had a big personality and will be missed by many! Her spirit lives on and she will never be forgotten.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Opal Louise Barker online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.