Opal Minnie Switser Obituary

Description: Opal Minnie Switser Obituary...Our Heartfelt Condolences To Her Loved Ones...

Opal Minnie Switser

October 7, 1920 – June 29, 2021

Opal Minnie Switser, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 100 on June 29, 2021, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Opal was born in Fairland, Oklahoma, on October 7, 1920, to Charles and Pearl (King) Youngblood.  She grew up in Rocky Ford, attended local schools and met her husband, Albert of Cheraw.  They had three children, Gary, Linda, and Kathleen. Baby Linda only lived one month.  Opal had seven brothers and sisters.

Opal kept journals her entire life, through the depression, WWII, and moving to the west coast for work before returning to RF.  Most of all, she treasured her memories of many happy family get-togethers in their back yard in Rocky Ford.  Family meant the world to her.  During their 75 years of marriage, she and Albert enjoyed boating, fishing, and camping in the mountains, spending winters in Arizona and golfing.  Her favorite trips were a vacation in Hawaii, and an Amtrak train trip from La Junta to Washington DC & Virginia to visit their granddaughter Tricia and family. 

Opal was the bookkeeper at JC Penney in RF for 20 years.  She was active in Beta Sigma Phi, member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club, the ladies golf league, and ladies bowling league, and member of the First Baptist Church. 

In 2009, they moved to Monument to be closer to their children, Gary (Francie) and Kathy (Jim) Steward. Opal and Al moved into Brookdale Skyway retirement center in Colorado Springs when he needed health care.  Albert died in 2013. She also lost her son, Gary, the same year; cancer took his life.

Living alone late in life, Opal enjoyed reading and jigsaw puzzles.  The Pikes Peak Library bookmobile brought her four to six large print books every two weeks.  However, visits from family were her greatest joy. Her daughter, grandchildren and their families, were at her side shortly before she passed.

Opal is survived by daughter, Kathy (Jim) of Monument; daughter-in-law, Francie of Littleton; grandchildren, Tricia (Kevin) Linsley of Fairfax, VA, Mark (Bonnie) Steward of Colorado Springs, Kelli (Garrett) Kane of Lone Tree, Kristi (Shawn) McLaughlin of Littleton; nine great-grandchildren, Aidan and Brennan Linsley, A.J. and Jenna Steward, Alexa and Mason Kane, Mia, Montana, and Max McLaughlin. Opal also has many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Pearl Youngblood, her seven brothers and sisters, husband Albert, son Gary, and her infant daughter Linda.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021, at First Baptist Church, 966 Maple Avenue, Rocky Ford, CO.  Interment following at Hillcrest Cemetery, Rocky Ford. Reception will be at ENCORE, 400 Chestnut Avenue, Rocky Ford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church in Rocky Ford.

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