Kathy was born May 11, 1946 in Wauwatosa to the late Cecil and Margaret (Stratton) Morris. Upon graduating from Wauwatosa East High School, she attended UWSP were she earned both her BA and MS in Education. On July 11, 1970 Kathy married Allen Fredrick Opall at the United Methodist Church in Wauwatosa. The happy couple was blessed with the births of their children, Brent and Kim.
Kathy was an extremely active woman who was dedicated to service to her community. She worked as a kindergarten teacher for over 25 years in the Wausau School District during which time she served as the President of the Wausau Education Association in 1986. Kathy not only loved to play tennis regularly and occasionally competitively, but she also was the first girls’ tennis coach at Wausau West High School beginning in 1975 until 1987. Outside of education, Kathy served at the President of the Wausau Hospital Center Volunteers in 1979 and volunteered with the Meals on Wheels. She shared her faith at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church playing in the Bell Choir and teaching Sunday School and Summer Bible School. In her free time, she loved bicycling and riding on her pontoon boat. Kathy retired from teaching in 1995 when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but this did little to slow her down when she volunteered with the MS Society. Kathy’s spirit and love of her community have touched countless lives throughout the years; she will be missed by all who have known her.
On Monday, August 23, 2010, Kathy lost her 18 year battle with MS. She remained cheerful and upbeat to the end. Kathy passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Kathy is survived by her beloved husband of 40 years, Al of Wausau; son, Brent Opall of Brooklyn Park, MN; daughter, Kim (Chris) Kempf of Green Bay; brothers, Dick Morris and Dave (Sally) Morris; and dog, Ace.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 27, 2010 at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church, Rib Mountain. Pastor John Roseth will be officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the Helke Funeral Home, and resume at 9:30 AM on Friday at the church until the time of the funeral. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.