George was inducted into the Army in March of 1943. He enlisted in Reserve Officers Training Corps his junior year in college and was called to active duty that spring quarter. His basic training was in field artillery, and he took Field Artillery Officer Candidate training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, graduating in 1944. He trained recruits at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and then transferred to Armored Forces. He was on a ship to the Philippines when the war ended with Japan. 1st Lieutenant Opperman served one year in the Philippines and was discharged on July 23, 1946.
George W. Opperman was a 1st Lieutenant in Field Artillery.
He enlisted in the Army March of 1943 and was honorably discharged July 23, 1946.
On June 17, 1944 he married May Ellen Thomas.
They have 5 children: Mary in Prinville, OR; Thomas in Des Moines, IA;
Donald in Bellvue, OR; David in Des Moines, IA; Douglas (deceased);
and Michael in Ft. Atkinson, WI.
Made Second Lieutenant
George Opperman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Opperman has completed the
artillery field officer course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and has been commissioned a
second lieutenant. After a short furlough at home he will return to Fort Sill for the officers' motor course.
Council Bluffs Nonpareil Council Bluffs, May 1, 1944
|
Manning Monitor article ------ 1943
GEORGE OPPERMAN, IS COLOR SERGEANT George Opperman At Ft. Sill George Opperman, who is now stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., for a 17 weeks course, sends his thanks for the paper, stating he receives it regularly and reads it thoroughly. George expects to be stationed at Fort Sill until sometime in May. He saw Skip Lohmeier and Daryl Mohr at Camp Roberts and hopes to see some of the boys stationed at Fort Sill when he has an opportunity to look them up. Cpl. Geo. Opperman at Ft. Sill Fort Sill, Okla. Corporal Geo.'' Opperman has entered the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at this post. Corporal Opperman, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil J. Opperman, attended Iowa State College, where he was a member of the Farm House fraternity. Upon completion of the 17 week course he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery in the Army of the United States.
The Field Artillery Officer Candidate School, directed by Col. J. J. Turner, is part of the
Field Artillery School of which Brig. Gen. Jesmond D. Balmer is commandant. Manning Monitor article ------ 1944
News Of Others in Service Takes Vehicle Course Fort Sill, Okla-2nd Lt. George W. Opperman, Manning, has been selected to attend the full track vehicle course of the Field Artillery school at this post. Lieutenant Opperman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil J. Opperman, route 2, Manning, attended Iowa State college. He and his wife maintain a residence at 1907 Kenyon Ave., Lawton, Okla. Manning Monitor articles ------ 1945
GEORGE OPPERMAN ENDS ARMY SERVICE Manning Boys Get Together Lt. George Oppermann, who arrived home Saturday to spend a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Oppermann, states that it was a stroke of luck that enabled four Manning boys in the service to get together at Ft. Bragg for a dinner and spend the evening together. This gathering took place on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and those present were Lt. F. W. Brennan, M. Sgt. Geo. Bald, T. Sgt. Wesley Lage, and Lt. Oppermann.
Lt. Oppermann states that the men really felt jubilant over the fact that they were able to
get together and discuss old times. |
George W. Opperman, 92, passed away on Saturday, June 20 at Alden Meadow Park in Clinton, Wisconsin.
George was born August 23, 1922, to the late Emil and Mabel (Dietz) Opperman of Manning, Iowa. George lived a long and eventful life. He graduated from Manning High School in 1939 and was the first in his family to seek higher education, doing so at Iowa State College. His college career was interrupted by World War II when he entered the service in 1943. George served in an army field artillery unit, including one year of service in the Philippines. George was a first lieutenant when he was discharged at the end of the war.
George married May Thomas on June 17, 1944. Upon graduation from college in 1947 with a degree in dairy science, George and May moved to Beloit, Wis. where he was editor of the Brown Swiss Bulletin. After three years the couple moved back to Manning, Iowa where they would operate the family farm for the next 30 years. George was a progressive farmer, implementing many technologies on the farm that were advanced for the time, including farrowing stalls, a milking parlor, field contours, alternative soybean row spacings and more. George also developed a prize-winning herd of Brown Swiss cattle. While on the farm George was active in the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, serving as national president in 1968. George's leadership in the dairy industry helped establish many important programs still in place today, such as milk pricing, animal identification and performance recording systems. For his contribution to the dairy industry George received the Pioneer Award from the National Dairy Shrine in 2012.
While in Manning, George actively served his community as a member of the Manning High School Board of Education as well as other community organizations. He and May were also lay leaders in the Manning First United Methodist Church. George also pursued a political career, running unsuccessfully for U.S. House of Representatives and the Iowa State Senate in the late 1970's.
In 1981 George and May left the farm in Manning and moved back to Beloit where George served as Executive Secretary of the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association. He held the position until 1987 when he moved on to the U.S. Dairy Export Council. In this role George helped to develop markets for U.S. dairy cattle and genetics around the world. For his work he received an award of appreciation from the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service in 1990. Upon retirement George and May enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren, and remained active supporters of Iowa State athletics. Throughout his time in Beloit George also remained active in the First United Methodist Church, serving in many leadership roles.
He is survived by his wife, May of Beloit, Wisconsin; brothers, Bill (Phyllis) and Ivan (Betty) of Manning, Iowa and sister, Jane (Dee) Kimberly of Boca Raton, Florida. He is also survived by his five children, Mary of Prineville, Oregon, Tom (Rose) of Norwalk, Iowa, Dave (Cynthia) of Iowa City, Iowa, Don of Seattle, Wash, and Mike (Kelly) of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; grandchildren include Melissa, Katie Oldes, Mariah Perry, Micah Perry, Maggie Opperman and Jack Opperman, in addition to three great-grandchildren.
George was predeceased by his parents, son Douglas and grandson Brian.
A visitation for George will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, from 5 to 7 pm at Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium 2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, Wisconsin. A Memorial service will be on Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at 11:00 am at the River of Life United Methodist Church 2375 Prairie Ave., Beloit, Wisconsin, with Reverend David Carlson officiating. A graveside ceremony will be held at the Manning Cemetery in Manning, Iowa on Friday, June 26, 2015, at 11:00 am with reception to follow at the Manning Senior Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the National Dairy Shrine (PO Box 725 Denmark, Wisconsin 54208) in George's name.