Robert Opperman

Robert “Bob” Opperman, 64, died peacefully on his beloved farm west of Wadena November 13, 2026, resting assured that his many friends and family members would watch over his wife, SueAnne, and children, Holly, Rachel and Cody.

Celebration of Life: 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., December 5, 2026, at the Fayette County Fairgrounds Dance Pavillion in West Union, Iowa, where there will be a “Memory Service” at 1:00 P.M. where all are encouraged to share a story about Bob.
Final Resting Place: Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, Iowa.
Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home – Arlington is assisting the family.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. SueAnne Opperman, 5428 Depot Road, Wadena, Iowa 52169.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

August 11, 1962, Bob was born in Manchester to Richard and Celia (Cummings) Opperman joining 3 brothers and 2 sisters: Jim (Darlene) Opperman, Fayette; David (Patty) Opperman, Wadena; Diana (Fred) Murray, Fredericksburg; Bill (Sherri) Opperman, Mead, Colorado: Rose (Fred) Hilsenbeck, Arlington. Soon Bob welcomed one more playmate and brother, Dennis (Deb) Opperman, Fayette completing Richard and Celia’s family.

Bob was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church, Arlington and started school in Arlington before moving to Fayette. After graduating from Fayette High School in 1981, Bob continued to help his parents and siblings on the family farm tending to the livestock, operating the machinery and working the land using skills he learned at an early age.
One summer day in 1985 SueAnne discovered strange dairy cattle in the pasture. These turned out to belong to Bob’s father, so he sent Bob to get the cattle. As a “thank you” to SueAnne, Bob invited her out to supper and a movie. Neither knew the other one’s name until their first date when they got in the car and asked each other. This led to their marriage at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington on December 29, 1985, beginning over 40 years of love, laughter, hard work side by side, and many memories raising their 3 children; teaching them how a family farm operates with everyone working together and having fun too.

After moving west of Wadena in 1987, they continued milking dairy cows. They sold the milk cows in 1997 and increased their beef herd. The beef herd gave Bob the opportunity to start a part-time job at Decorah Sales Commission, working there for 15 years where he made many friends. SueAnne joined him a year later and they worked together as a team. Bob, SueAnne and family became very involved in the Fayette County Cattlemen’s Association where you found their whole family enjoying grilling beef at many locations. Bob was a member of the board for over 20 years. Over time the Oppermans have received many awards from the Association and in 2026 at the Fayette County Cattlemen’s Banquet, Bob and SueAnne received an Honor Medallion from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation given to people who have shown dedicated service to the industry.

Together Bob and SueAnne set an example for Holly, Rachel and Cody to always take pride in what you do and be there to help others. After having three Opperman brothers afflicted with cancer, they knew how cancer affected families, giving Bob’s siblings the idea of sponsoring a UTV ride through their family’s and adjoining neighbor’s land. They were able to continue this for 4 years with all proceeds going to charities to help cancer research and cancer patients and their families. Bob was very proud to be a part of this.

When he was young, Bob enjoyed hunting deer with his family and continued to hunt with his brothers and others, helping many young hunters get started in the sport. He also enjoyed coon hunting many nights with family including his own children. With his very giving and sharing spirit, he again added new friends by welcoming the Purple Heart Tour; which is an organization to help military personnel hunt turkey and deer while enjoying the beautiful land in the area. His family enjoyed horseback riding, and he shared his land by sponsoring many trail rides for horse lovers. He was president of the Volga River Riders Saddle Club for many years.

He stayed busy on the farm, but, if you stopped at the Gas Gage they own in Wadena, you would find Bob stocking shelves, filling coolers, or sitting back enjoying the stories around the table with the coffee group that meets there each morning.
Bob was born a farmer and died a farmer and like all good farmers, he was always there to help anyone in need. The friendships Bob made and the help he gave to others over the years returned to him on a sunny day in October when friends and family came together to harvest his soybean crop and in November a crew brought in the family’s firewood. This and the many kindnesses that have been shown to him and his loved ones, especially over the last two years, will never be forgotten.

He will be greatly missed but the memories he created will always be with his wife, SueAnne; children, Holly (Keith) Walker, Jesup; Rachel Opperman (Kent Schwan), Sumner; Cody Opperman, Wadena; and grandson, Myles Schwan; many nieces and nephews, siblings, family members and many special friends that he considered family (you know who you are).

He was preceded by his parents, Richard and Celia Opperman; infant daughter (April 1987); two brothers, Bill (July 2025) and David (May 2026); brother-in-law Rick Hammond (November 2016).