Opal Adeline Klein

Klein, Opal Adeline, 95, departed this life on January 12, 2016 at 8:40 pm in Dewey, OK. Opal was born February 25, 1920 in Tryon, Oklahoma to parents Oren “Si” McKinley Youell and Kathryn (Norris) Youell. Her uncle George would often recall that day in February was the coldest day of the year, as he was the one that had to fetch the doctor by horseback. Uncle George never allowed Opal to forget this fact, nor was mention of her birthday ever done without the reminder of that cold February day in 1920. Opal attended school in Tonkawa, and was a member of the 1938 graduating class there. Her class had the distinction of having Bob Wills play for their Prom dance. When Opal was just 16 years old, she lost her mother. This made her grow up fast, and she helped to raise her two younger brothers. On September 12, 1939, Opal married Harlan Klein in Webb City, Oklahoma. This union produced three children and lasted nearly 63 years, until Harlan’s passing in 2002. Opal, it seemed, was always caring for somebody. From her teenage years of helping rear her younger brothers, to her own children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. She was, at her very core, a caregiver. Opal was always busy. Opal was a homemaker until the time her kids had grown and gone off to college. She decided she wanted something to do, so she opened an A&W Drive – In in Blackwell. She eventually sold it to the man who was putting in some new drive – ins called “Sonic”. Opal then went to work at the Blackwell Nursing Home as a dietician, learning lessons about nutrition that she would later share with her grandchildren. Opal then took a job as a bookkeeper and clerk for Shepherd’s Convenience Stores in Blackwell, where she was employed for a number of years. Opal’s biggest source of pride, of course, was her family. It was always her most important thing. She helped to raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had the ability to rock any baby to sleep; whenever there was a fussy baby you just gave it to her and she would have it fast asleep in no time. Opal was a great cook, and made the best pies in the world. She always prided herself on having lots of choices for food the grandchildren could eat. Even the grandchildren’s friends called Opal “Grandma”. Opal set a wonderful caring example for the family that she so dearly loved, and she will be greatly missed. Opal is survived by two daughters, Mitzie Eshelman of Bartlesville, OK and Judy DeCamp and her husband Don of Claremore, OK; one son, Bruce Klein and wife Jeanne of Stillwater, OK; Grandchildren, Robin Staab and husband Bob of Bartlesville, Gaylynn Nickell and husband Mike of Keystone Lake, OK, Brian Klein of Perry, OK, Sabra Boone and husband Daniel of Stillwater, OK Derrick DeCamp and wife Patty of Broken Arrow, OK. Great grandchildren, John Lawrence, Matt Staab, Micah Nickell, Hayley DeVilbiss, Gunnar Harman, Brice Klein, Kacee Klein, Amber Cue and Melinda Thompson and 4 great-great grandchildren. Graveside Services will be held in the Blackwell Cemetery at 11:00 am, Friday, January 15, 2016, under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory in Bartlesville, OK. Friends who wish may sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org.

Opal Adeline Klein

February 25, 1920 - January 12, 2016