Anthony Raymond Opbroek was born to Leona (Bentz) and Robert Opbroek on Nov. 12, 1962 and God called him home on Sept. 5, 2017 at the age of 54. Growing up Tony could be found working on the family farm, pestering his older siblings, and enjoying farm life. Tony went to elementary in Fairfax, SD from Kindergarten until 3rd grade, at which point the family moved to Gregory, SD where Tony graduated in 1981.
Tony married Sherry Smith on Aug. 9, 1985. From this union came three daughters: Sarah, Amber, and Teresa. Tony and Sherry were “two peas in a pod” wherever one ventured the other was not far behind supporting each other, suggesting new ways of doing this and that, and always loving each other in everything until the very end.
Tony was a proud member of the South Dakota Army National Guard. He enlisted on March 23, 1980 and was sent to boot camp with the “Dirty Dozen”, a group of 12 South Dakota boys who all went through bootcamp together. Tony graduated Officer Candidate School in 1986 and began his successful career in the Guard. Tony commanded many units and received many awards throughout his career. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Burke. Tony graduated BHSU in1987 and moved back to Burke where he worked for Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance, then The Gregory Advocate and finally Southern Dakota Insurance.
Tony loved life. You could find him always fixing things and making old things new again. Tony loved Husker and Steeler football, and lived for Husker parties. His latest pride and joy was the kitchen and living room remodel he finished this summer. Tony truly enjoyed fishing trips with his fishing partners, Alan Peterson, Mike Jones, Jason Mosterd, and his brother Dave. He would always say that his trip to Canada was the perfect trip. Tony loved to fish, golf, work on the perfect yard, and relax on the patio. Although these things were important to him the most important things to Tony were faith and family. He lived for time spent grilling for “his girls” and spoiling his grandkids. His whole world were those four little kids. Tony was the biggest supporter to his family, church, community and his friends. He was involved with many community projects including the wood floor at the school and the patio project at the church, just to name a few. His latest projects included being co-president of the Cougar Athletic Club and the Altar Project at church. His mission in life was to make everything alright for everyone.
Tony is survived by his wife Sherry, daughters: Sarah (Nate) Bottjen of Kingsley, IA, Amber (Thomas) Horn of Aberdeen, SD, and Teresa (Tyler) Klug of Mitchell, SD, Exchange daughter Anna Zara at home in Burke. Five grandkids: Parker, Nona, Tucker, Rubee, and baby Horn (coming in December). . His mother, Leona of Gregory, SD and mother-in-law, Janice Smith of Burke, SD. Brothers and Sisters: David (Lannette) Opbroek, Terry (Rosemary) Opbroek, Gene Opbroek, Cheryl Clark, and Dolores (Jim) Moore. Brothers and Sisters in-law: Ray (Donna) Smith, Rick Smith and special friend Pat, Annie (Brandon) York, and Tina (Austin) Buhta. A host of nieces and nephews and friends.
Awaiting Tony’s arrival into heaven: his dad Robert Opbroek, father-in-law Leroy Smith, paternal grandparents Henry and Margaret Opbroek, maternal grandparents Fred and Lydia Bentz, and his two unborn sons.
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