Opal V. (Hillman) DeNio

Opal DeNio, 85, of Dows passed away peacefully Sunday, September 22, 2013, at her home in rural Dows.

Funeral services for Opal DeNio will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at 1:00 PM at the Abundant Life Chapel, 202 Fairview Street, in Dows with Pastor Bruce Klapp officiating.  Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Dows.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Opal Viola (Hillman) DeNio was born to Levi and Blanche (Pruitt) Hillman on August 23, 1928 in Lena, Louisiana.

Opal married Verl E. DeNio on July 25, 1952 in Alexandria, Louisiana.  They made their first home in rural Dows, and have continued to farm to this day.

Opal was a founding member of her beloved church, Abundant Life Chapel.  The Lord gave Opal a love for flowers and she in return ministered to many touching each of their senses with bouquets at the altar, roses floating in rose bowls, and outdoor splendor.

Opal also enjoyed crocheting, painting, fishing, playing cards and photography.  She was a “weed’s worst enemy!”  She had a “miracle” green thumb and loved spending time in her garden.  Her harvest was shared by all who knew her.

The love for her God and her family superseded all.

Opal is survived by her husband of 61 years, Verl of Dows; her 3 children: Judy Cassen of Fort Dodge, Greg (Linda) DeNio of Dows and Nancy (Thad) Boyington of Hampton; her 5 grandchildren: Joel (Courtney) DeNio of Hampton, Susanne DeNio of Minneapolis, Kelli (Josh) Enabnit of Clear Lake, Ryan (Nicole) Boyington of Ankeny and Andrew (Christina) DeNio of Dows; 10 great-grandchildren: Leighton Memmer, McKayla DeNio, Madelynn DeNio, Jaxon Morgan, Sophia DeNio, Ava DeNio, Stella DeNio, Brayden DeNio, Penelope DeNio, Brooks Boyington, along with her siblings, William Hillman, Marjorie Brown and J.T. Hillman.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents Levi and Blanche Hillman, her sisters Rena and Mable, and her brothers Ray, LeRoy, and Everett.