Opal E. Bosn

Opal Elizabeth Bosn, 93, of O'Neill died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a parish rosary.

A memorial mass was held Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Fr. Bernard Starman officiated.

Honorary pallbearers were Opal's grandchildren Christina Nelson, Nate Richards, Chelsea Bosn, Brett Bosn, Jessica Meyers, Matt Bosn, Jennifer Fowler and Jack Sasek Bosn. 

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Schools or St. Patrick's Catholic Church, both in O'Neill, in Opal's name.

Opal was born Oct. 7, 1928, in Atkinson to Charles and Elizabeth (Hoppens) Fox. She grew up in the Emmet and O'Neill area.

Where to begin on the life of this loving woman. Her husband and family were her greatest loves to which she gave all credit to God. Her home and purse always had a rosary handy. The calm she received from the rosary and prayer was evident. 

Opal's love of family began as soon as she was born into the large Fox family. Her many brothers and sisters gave her the support, love and laughter to start her out in life. Opal stayed home from school one year to help her mother with her younger siblings. She went to school the following year with Ruby, her sister and lifelong friend. Her nicknames in high school were “Apple” or “O Pal.” She graduated from Atkinson High School in 1947. 

On Sept. 4, 1950, she married George Bosn at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. To this union five children were born.  

Opal retired from the business office of the O'Neill Country General S & S Store in 1992.

She loved going on drives with George in the country. At times, she kept track of the names of the many creeks along the backroads of Nebraska. All the while listening to country music. 

She had the first collection of John Prine CDs before her children. She was an avid reader of all genres of books. Life threw her a major curve when she lost most of her vision to macular degeneration. She accepted it with grace and continued the prayers.

The loss of her son Mitch, at the age of 27 from cancer, was a lot to bear for a mother. Her prayers continued. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, she truly shined. She would surround you with love and laughter. Good food too! Her family will honor her always with get-togethers frying up “dog ears” (Mitch's name given to fried bread at an early age).

She was also the family barber with the cape, scissors and clippers handy even when her sons didn't think they needed a haircut. Some of the nephews were sent to Opal's house for their turn in the chair.

God's blessings and thanks to the staff at the Evergreen Assisted Living, the Arbor Care Center and the AseraCare Hospice along with the kindness and humor always shown by Dr. Winkelbauer.

Opal is survived by her four children and their spouses Charles (Anita) Bosn, Karen (Don) Murphy, Tony (Chris) Bosn and Tom Bosn; 11 grandchildren Christina (Troy) Nelson, Nate (Em) Richards, Chelsea Bosn, Brett (Kerstin) Bosn, Jessica (Brad) Meyers, Matt (Christy) Bosn, Jennifer (Joe) Fowler, Jack Sasek Bosn, Donielle Murphy, Nicole (Shane) Cabaniss and Breanna Murphy; 12great-grandchildren Grace and Ezra Nelson, Layla Richards, Grayson and Tinsley Bosn, Brixlee Bosn, Parker and Carson Meyers, Lennon and Audrey Bosn, and Frances Fowler; on the Fox side she is survived by three brothers Larry (Hilda) Fox, Gordon (fiancé Vivian Van Buren) Fox and Raymond (Georgia) Fox; five sisters-in-law Patty Fox, Evelyn Fox, Lois Fox, Kathy Fox and Phyllis Waldo; and one brother-in-law Bill Kelly; on the Bosn side she is survived by two brothers-in-law Don (Jackie) Bosn and Jerry Jefferies; and three sisters-in-law Rosaline Gallagher, Jean Lucero and Jean Bosn; and there are too many nieces and nephews to mention but know full well she always wanted to hear from you and loved you.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Elizabeth Fox; her husband George Bosn in 2013: one son Mitch Bosn; six brothers Leonard Fox, Gilbert (Doris) Fox, Wayne (Lou) (Theresa) Fox, Chuck Fox, Bob Fox and Lyle Fox; five sisters Esther (George) Brainard, Ruby (Fritz)Belzer, Marie Kelly, Carol Fox and an infant sister; one Fox sister-in-law Lorna Fox; four Bosn sisters-in-law Dorothy (Paul) Bloomstrom, Margaret (Frank) Cook, Marian (Jim) Hardy, andTheresa Jefferies; and four brothers-in-law Ray (Lanone) Bosn, Al Bosn, Jack Gallagher and Ralph Lucero.