Opal Barenz

Opal Mae Barenz peacefully transitioned from this life to heaven on August 10, 2019, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Opal was born to Earl L. Murray and Lillian B. (Guillams) Murray on August 8, 1931 in Enid, Oklahoma. She grew up and received her education near Stillwell, Oklahoma, but lived most of her life in Fayetteville and near Lincoln.
Opal is survived by two sons: Dr. Larry Reed and wife, Diana, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Gary Reed and wife, Bridgett, of Fayetteville; three grandchildren: Rhonda (Tim) Hudson of Bartlesville OK, Jennifer (Sean) Eisensmith of Stillwater OK, and Nathaniel (Lacy) Reed of Oologah OK; and six great-grandchildren: Madeline and Emma Hudson, Jaxton and Jordan Secrest, and Gracie and Jacob Reed. She is also survived by one niece: Sharon (John) Wright of Fort Smith AR; one nephew: Lee Murray of Camden AR; two grandnephews: Daniel and Brian Hignite; stepson Danny Barenz of Omaha NE; and friend and former daughter-in-law, Anita Reed
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 22 years, Roland Barenz; one sister, Earlene Hignite; one brother, Jim Murray; and one nephew, Danny Hignite.
Opal loved fishing, growing flowers, gardening, and her dogs, but she especially loved her church and spending time with her family, telling stories and making memories. Perhaps Opal’s greatest traits were her generosity and willingness to work hard at anything she wanted to accomplish. Her life’s mission was helping others; she received great joy by giving, whether that meant providing food for a church dinner, cooking breakfast for the Lincoln High football team, allowing someone to sleep on her couch, providing a ride or, simply, buying gifts for others. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.
The family thanks all those at Washington Regional Medical Center and Willard Walker Hospice Home who attended to Opal during her stays; their compassion and dedicated service were a blessing to both Opal and her family. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to Willard Walker Hospice Home, Fayetteville.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM followed by a special family remembrance, Thursday, August 15th, 2019, at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Burial will be in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery in Stillwell, Oklahoma. No graveside service will be held at the cemetery.