Rodney J. Ophoven, 68
St. Joseph
July 24, 1945 – Nov. 13, 2013
Rodney J. Ophoven, 68, of St. Joseph died Nov. 13, 2013 at his home with his loving family at his side. His funeral was held Nov. 19 at Westwood Community Church, St. Cloud. The Rev. Steve Schoepf officiated. Burial was in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery in St. Joseph.
Ophoven was born July 24, 1945 in St. Cloud to Sylvester and Leona (Otto) Ophoven. He attended St. Anthony’s grade school, and graduated from Tech High School in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic in Vietnam from 1965-67. He married Janet Kerzman on Sept. 12, 1970 at Assumption Church in Eden Valley, Minn. Ophoven graduated from St. Cloud School of Nursing in 1975. He was a registered nurse at the Veterans Administration for 30 years, retiring in 2011. He was a member of Westwood Community Church for more than 30 years. His love for the Lord inspired him to be actively involved in his church where he held many leadership roles and hosted Bible studies in his home. Ophoven was a loving husband, father and was an especially devoted grandfather. He was an avid gardener, a voracious reader and was known for his witty sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife; sons Jason (Krista), Curtis (Tracy), Daniel (Tonia) and Timothy (Alyssa); 13 wonderful grandchildren; brothers David (Jean), Michael and Allen (Lois).
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The Ophoven family would like to extend special thanks to Quiet Oaks Hospice, the St. Cloud Hospital Hospice, and family, friends and neighbors who supported them.
