Racine – Jennifer L Opichka, 34, passed away at University of Chicago Hospital on July 27, 2006 after a brief and courageous struggle with cancer. Jenny was born in West Allis on July 3, 1972, the daughter of Michael and Mary (nee: Boyle) Rick. She was a 1990 graduate of Pius high school, and received a B.S. in Criminal Justice from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 1994. On April 12, 1997 she was united in holy matrimony to Jeffrey Opichka in St. Rita’s Catholic Church in West Allis.
Jenny loved her family and her friends. Her greatest joy was found in her children, whom she loved to teach new things and share in their new experiences. She was a proud and dedicated member of the Racine County Sheriff’s Department, where she served as a deputy and was recently promoted to an Investigator. She valued education and strived to learn something new each day. She was generous with her time and always willing to help others. Jenny will be deeply missed by all who knew her and whose lives she touched in 34 short years.
Jenny is survived by her devoted husband, Jeff Opichka, and her dearest sons Eddie and Alex; her parents, Michael and Mary Rick; brothers, Jim (Mary Pat) Rick; Dan (fiancé Cheryl Beyer) Rick and; father and mother-in-law, Ron and Darlene Opichka; sister-in-law Linda (Richard) Smith; great grandpas Ed Webber and Oscar Opichka; uncles Jim (Sally) Boyle and Jim Rick; aunts Mary Pat (Jack) Antonicci, Kathy (Dave) Biscoe, and Liz (Jim) Sinclair; nieces and nephews Brendan, Lindsey, Caroline; cousins, Sarah (Mike) Paul, Maurine (fiancé Scott Marek) Boyle, Jim Boyle, Emily Antonicci, John (Kristy) Leutermann, Christopher Leutermann, Katie Leutermann, and Megan Sinclair, as well as many other relatives, friends, and members of the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.
The funeral mass for Jenny will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2006 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church (4339 Douglas Avenue) with Father Greg Greiten officiating. Internment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held in the Funeral Home on Sunday, August 6, 2006 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer vigil, and in the church on Monday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Memorials to the Eddie and Alex Opichka Fund, c/o Educators Credit Union, 1400 N. Newman Rd, Racine, WI 53406, are encouraged.
The family expresses sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of the University of Chicago Hospital.
Leslie, Bob and Jake says
Jenny:
You touched our lived more than you know. You brought sunshine, happiness and laughter into our hearts. We will forever love you.
LBJ
Father Larry Webber says
Marlena Trevino says
August 3, 2006
Dear Jenny, Jeff, Eddie & Alex,
Jenny, our prayers have been with you throughout this too short and sudden ordeal. We are thankful to God that you were spared the pain and suffering that many others go through. You have shown all of us the true meaning of what a hero is. You are truly an inspiration and have touched and changed our lives. You have taught us bravery, humor, and love. We know your smile will keep shining down on all who knew you. I guess sometimes God needs young Angels too. May God bless you and keep you always in his wings.
Jeff, Eddie, and Alex, we express our heartfelt sorrow for your beautiful loss. We pray for God to touch your hearts tenderly in carrying you through this. We pray for God to guide your lives with Jenny by His side. May you be blessed with comfort, healing love, and God’s grace.
Do Not Lose Heart
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
— 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (New International Version)
You are in many thoughts and prayers in Texas.
Marlena, Orlando, Maks, & Zarina Trevino
Sugar Land, TX
Marlena Trevino (Sugar Land, TX )
marlena@houston.rr.com
Tom and Bonnie Lawyer says
Jeff, Eddie and Alex
Although we only knew Jenny for a few short years, we know that she was a very special person, she had a great sense of humor. We know that she would have done anything she could, if just asked.
You are all in our prayers.
Sara Knapp (Huberty) says
I graduated from Pius XI with Jenny in 1990. My husband works in Burlington, and called me with the sad news. You are all in our thoughts and prayers in this sad and difficult time.
God Bless you all, Sara (Huberty) Knapp and family
Carrie Wetzel says
My step-sister was Barbara (Konkel) Aschenbrenner and I remember many stories of the times she and Mary shared while young and hearing of the wonderful Rick family. I was so sorry to read of Jennifer’s untimely death. You have my deepest sympathy. I remember Jennifer when she used to come and buy candy bars when I was working at West Allis Foods, she was such a beautiful, vibrant child. God indeed needed an angel in heaven. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Neil Udovich says
I went to Pius with Jenny but knew her best working dietary with her at WAMH. I suppose there were worse jobs to have as a teenager but one thing was for sure, if Rick was on the schedule you know the night would at least be fun / funny. I recently took my young son through the halls of WAMH not two weeks ago and I was shocked at how so much had changed. I thought about working there, all the good times, and I found my mind wondering about Jenny.
Jenny was certainly one who stood out. I wondered how she was doing, remembered that she aspired to do criminal justice and thought how fun it would be to see her at the upcoming WAMH reunion. I am sad that wont happen and I am sad for your loss.
Jeff, if my father remembers correctly you also worked briefly in his department at WAMH he sends his condolences as well.
God Bless you and your family.
-Neil Udovich
Maya Held says
I was deeply saddened to hear of Jenny’s passing. Though I have not seen her in many years, I have always kept up with what she was doing through friends of the Rick family. She appears in more than one of my home movies, along with her cousins, Sarah, Maurine and Jim. Jenny was a fun-loving and deeply kind person; she was always accepting of people for who they were, and her smile was infectious. My sincere condolences to the entire family, and to the Ricks and the Boyles, whom I have known since I was a child. You are all in my thoughts.
Kristin Meyer(Green) says
I send my deepest sympathies to Jenny’s family. I went to school with Jenny, and remembered her warm smile and kind soul.
Shari (Swirth) Jordan says
Jenny was my dearest friend. I know she had many friends because of the wonderful person she was, but I had only one like her. Even though her job as sheriff/investigator led her to see some people at their worst, she always saw the best. Her positive attitude was contagious, and I will miss her laugh. I can see that twinkle in her eye in the eyes of her sons, Eddie and Alex, although Jeff had something to do with that, too. Jeff, Eddie, and Alex made Jenny truly happy, and all of her family’s love and support gave her such strength and courage. In one of our last conversations, Jenny told me that if she was lucky enough to come through all of this, she would be a better person. I told her, “That’s not possible.” I meant that with all of my heart, and I will miss her with all of my heart.
Love you Jenny,
Shari Jordan
Tony, Seth, and Rebecca Jordan
Jeff Opichka says
Jenny, I miss you everyday. I love you with all of my heart. You are my soul mate.