Fred Opperman, age 78 of Shawano, died on Thursday, October 5, 2017. Born on December 6, 1938 in Shawano, he is the son of the late Henry and Alma (Kuhn) Opperman.  Fred graduated from Shawano High School.  He was a member of the two-time State Champion Basketball Team and holds the record for the highest free-throw percentage, going 12 for 12 in the 1956 State Tournament.  On November 25, 1960 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Menasha, Fred was united in marriage to Anna May Case, who preceded him in death on December 13, 2014.  Fred served his country in the United States National Guard during the Berlin Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1962.  Farming was in Fred’s blood; he continued to farm on the Opperman family farm, established in 1896 until present day.  He loved farming and was a natural leader, often implementing progressive farming ideas.  He was resilient and hard-working.  Always an optimist, Fred remained positive and had a great sense of humor.  He loved visiting with family and friends, especially spending time with his grandchildren.  Fred’s faith in God was such an important part of his life that he became a lay minister.  He was a life-long member of St. Jakobi Lutheran Church, where his great-grandmother was a founding member.  He was involved in various church organizations and was a supporter and past board member for the Wolf River Lutheran High School.  He served on numerous boards, including the Morning Glory Board, Town of Richmond Town Board, AMPI (Associated Milk Producers Inc.) Board and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, to name a few.  In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and listening to Brewer and Packer games.

Fred is survived by: his children, Margaret Jordan Opperman, Sue (Gary) Zaddack and Mike (Cathy) Opperman all of Shawano; his grandchildren, Bryan and Erika Dunnam, Cassie (Zak) Weber, Lee (Ashley) Zaddack, Cory (Amber) Zaddack and Grace Opperman; his great-granddaughters, Ehlana and Zoie; and his son-in-law, Chuck Dunnam of Shawano. He is further survived by his brother, Douglas (Gail) Opperman of Pella; his sisters, Mildred Prey of Splitrock, Gladys Dey of Menominee, Violet Werth of Menasha; brothers and sisters-in-law, Betty (Glen) Miller of Westfield, IN, John (Nancy) Case of Mount Vernon, IN and Barbara (Leon) Hamblin of Westfield, IN; as well as numerous other relatives and friends

He is preceded in death by his wife, Anna; his daughters, Laura Dunnam and Carmella in infacy; a grandchild, Baby Zaddack; his parents; brothers-in-law, Roger Prey, Robert Werth and Leonard Brehmer; and sister-in-law, Pat Case.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church with Rev. Travis Kleinschmidt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Shawano American Legion Post #117.  Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017 at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church and again at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services.