Ivan P. Opperman

IVAN P. OPPERMAN

Strawberry Point

The Mederville Kid has holstered his pistols and moseyed off into the sunset.

Ivan P. Opperman died peacefully April 1, 2022, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer at the Edgewood Convalescent Nursing Home, in Edgewood, Iowa. Ivan, who was known as the Mederville Kid in his Cowboy Shooting Club, in Evansdale, resided at the Edgewood Convalescent Nursing Home in Edgewood, Iowa. Ivan, 81, formerly lived in Monticello, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 4, at Leonard-Mueller Funeral Home in Strawberry Point. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, with visitation at

9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Strawberry Point. Burial will be at Cass Township Cemetery in Strawberry Point. Luncheon to follow at St. Mary's.

Ivan Paul Opperman was born on June 6, 1940, to Edgar and Bessie (Palmer) Opperman in Strawberry Point. He was the fifth son–each of his brothers served in World War II. Ivan graduated at 16 from Strawberry Point High School. He attended Iowa State, and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Ivan married Rose Ann Knight of Anamosa on May 6, 1961, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa. Ivan and Rose Ann had son Aaron Edgar in April of 1962. They adopted daughter Angela Rose in June of 1969, and Eric Victor in November of 1972.

Ivan started working for Bill Seedorff (Seedorff Masonry Inc.-SMI) in 1959 as a laborer in the field. Ivan transferred in 1965 to a position in the office as an estimator, becoming a vice president in 1971. Ivan was promoted to chief estimator in 1973.

In 1984, Ivan and family relocated to Omaha, Neb., to manage that regional office for SMI. He was V.P. of the Nebraska Region through 2002, when he moved back to Iowa. Ivan worked until the end of 2003 when he retired from Seedorff Masonry Inc.

Ivan and Rose Ann we're married for 40 years, until Rose Ann passed away. Ivan married Strawberry Point High School classmate Marilyn (Moser Moats) in 2001. Their marriage brought the Opperman and Moats families together, including several grandkids and great-grandkids.

Ivan was preceded in death by parents, Edgar and Bessie; wife, Rose Ann; brothers, Reginald "Bud" (Eva), Eugene (Betty), Burnell (Charlotte) and Merle (Earlene); parents-in-law, Victor and Edna Knight; sisters-in-law, JoAn Knight Herron and Delores Knight; and stepson-in-law, Don McCarthy.

Ivan is survived by wife, Marilyn of Cedar Rapids; son, Aaron (Jackie) Opperman of Mount Vernon; daughter, Angela (Gary) Larson of Bagley, Iowa; son, Eric of Omaha; and grandchildren, Ellen (KC) Pochabradsky and Katheryn Opperman; Rece and Roen Opperman; Lindsay (Isaac) Fones; Jennifer (John) Miller; Jon (Sara) Larson; Travis (Anastasia) Larson.

Ivan also is survived by stepchildren, Steve (Julie) Moats of Roland, Leanne Moats of Hiawatha, Pam McCarthy of Monticello, Curt (Diann) Moats of Anamosa and Shelly (Dan) Ricklefs of Maple Grove, Minn. Ivan's grandchildren also include Anna (Mitch) Gibson, Mary Kate (Reikel) Biechler, Ena (Paul) Schmitt; Paul Moats, Morgan (Spencer) Owen, Tyler (Ashley), McCarthy, Courtney McCarthy, Cory (Brenna) Moats, TJ Moats, Markeya and Paige Moats, and Austin, Casey and Grant Ricklefs.

Ivan also leaves behind 20 great-grandchildren, extended family members, his fellow Cowboy Shooting Club members, bible study group from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello, and several friends and colleagues.

Ivan had a unique sense of humor. He enjoyed reading, hunting, trap shooting, mushroom hunting (and eating), traveling, golfing, pottery-making, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies, keeping a notebook of favorite phrases/sayings/advice for his family and Far Side cartoons. Ivan took up cycling and running, completing a half marathon at age 50.

Ivan was a member of the following groups: Knights of Columbus-Third Degree, a founding member of Fairbank (Iowa) Gun Club, original member of the Clayton County Conservation Board, member and former president of Backbone Country Club, Boy Scoutmaster, Troop 36, Northeast Council of Boy Scouts, district and council, District Boy Scouts of America Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award for service to Boy Scouts, Strawberry Point Jaycees and former president, former chairman of Jones County Republicans, Monticello Lions Club and former president, long-time member of St. Mary's, Strawberry Point, St. Stephen the Martyr, Omaha, and Sacred Heart, Monticello.

The family would like to thank staff, nurses and doctors at the Edgewood Convalescent Home, St. Croix Hospice, Strawberry Point and the staff at Leonard-Muller Funeral Homes and Crematory.

Memorials may be directed to Strawberry Point Lutheran Home Community, Camp Courageous, Monticello, Sacred Heart School, Monticello, or Saint Patrick's School, Anamosa.