Christine Opack

Christine Opack, passed away on Monday June 24, 2019 at the Solvay Hospice House at the age of 97.  Affectionately known as Teena she was the youngest of four girls born to John and Antoinette Milich.  The family was very proud of their Croatian heritage, and Teena learned to cook all the Croatian foods and she was happy to share those meals with everyone.  Teena graduated from Morgan Park High School.  She married Matt Opack on January 10, 1941 and moved to Raleigh Street where thy lived until moving permanently to Schultz Lake in 1973.  Teena and Matt also had a home in Sebring where she wintered for 39 years, (including this past winter) with the help of family, Sebring Hospice and good friends.

Teena will always be known for her strength, good health, determination, and sometimes strong opinions.  She’d be willing and ready to go anywhere; she just needed a ride.  The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Essentia Hospice and staff, the Solvay Hospice House for their care and compassion, her niece Janet Schindler Brockway for her kindness and willingness to care for Teena, and Sharon Birkland for the friendship and care extended throughout the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Matt Opack Sr., sisters Angeline Burke, Anna Lepak, and Elizabeth Nicotera.

She is survived by her sons Matt Opack Jr., and David (Carol) Opack, grandsons Joe (Katie), Mike (Laura) and David (Maggie) Opack whom she loved dearly, the mother of her grandsons Carol Valentini,  great-grandchildren Luca, Petra, Filomena, Otto, Charlotte, Henry, and little Opack expected in November.  She will be sad she missed that event.

Visitation will be held on Friday June 28, 2019 from 10AM until the 11AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gnesen.  6110 Church Rd, Duluth, MN 55803.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials to the Gnesen Community Center would be appreciated.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805.  218-727-3555.