Linda H. Wopat
Linda H. Wopat, formerly of rural Elroy, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona.Linda was born in Pico Rivera, California on May 9, 1940 to Joseph and Elsie Picha. She and her two children relocated from California to Elroy when Linda married Marvin J. Wopat in 1980. For 27 years she enjoyed her life as a “farmer”, living in a close-knit community, and being embraced by her five step-children: Jo Marie (Stuart) Walker of Sheboygan Falls, Marvin Wopat Jr. of Milton, Mary Lu Stoner of Wentworth, South Dakota, Bill (Joyce) Wopat of Ontario, and Kathy (Jeff) Popp of Footville, along with all their many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After Marv’s death, Linda continued with their tradition of spending winter in a warmer climate and officially became a “snowbird” in Tucson in 2008. It is here where she met her last partner in life. Linda married Gary Blanchard in 2009 and never looked back! She divided her time between their home in Woodbury, Minnesota and Tucson, enjoying time with her grandchildren, competing in Pickleball tournaments, traveling, and being with friends. Linda is survived by her daughter Lori (Kevin) Lawrence of Elroy, son Kirk (Kari) Ahlstrom of Prior Lake, Minnesota and their children Connor, Kailey and Kyla, “sister” Diana Bowland of Santa Rosa, California, sisters-in-law Linda (Bob) Murphy of Kendall and Rae Ann Wopat of Lodi, and her husband Gary Blanchard of Woodbury, Minnesota. Thank you, Gary, for literally showing her the world. Her time with you was too brief but you danced her through the best years of her life.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro with Father Don Bauer officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro. Friends may call at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Friday, May 27 from 5 to 7 p.m.