Marlyn A. Opyd

Wausau – Marlyn Alice (Farrand) Opyd, age 88, passed away on May 13, 2026, at her daughter’s home under hospice care. Marlyn was born July 1, 1937, in West Kraft right outside Tomahawk, WI, the youngest of eight children to Arthur Burdett Farand and Grace Julia (Thompson) Farrand.

When Marlyn was born, they forgot the “i” in her first name on her birth certificate. She decided to keep the “i” out forever, because she liked it like that. She attended Fulsher grade school in Tomahawk and at fifteen moved to Ohio with her mother where she graduated from Fairborn High School. Her first job was working at a daycare at the Wright Patterson Airforce base, where she cared for the children of the first seven astronauts.

After high school, Marlyn moved to Chicago and worked at Zenith Television Corporation. Later, she moved to Wausau, where she met her husband, Walter L. Opyd. They eloped and married in Red Wing, MN on July 11, 1959. They made their home in Wausau and raised their two daughters Dawn and Debra. Together they shared 40 years of marriage before Wally’s passing on March 11, 2000.

Mom most valued being a homemaker and mother. She volunteered at her children’s school, belonged to the church circle, and was a Girl Scout co-leader. Later, she worked at Employers Insurance, where she made many dear friends. After retiring, she began a fun job working on tour buses as a hostess and travel coordinator - a job she absolutely loved. She enjoyed traveling, meeting people, and talking with everyone she encountered.

Marlyn made a point of getting to know the workers at the places she frequented and knowing them all by name, at Kwik Trip, the pharmacy, the grocery store, everywhere she went, she got to know everyone. She loved chatting with people in her community. For many years, Mom and our dad, Wally, were season ticket holders for Wausau Timbers/Wausau Woodchucks minor league baseball teams in Wausau. Mom enjoyed watching sports, especially the Brewers, Packers, and state tournaments.

We always laughed that Mom could do anything. She would read craft and cookbooks or magazines and teach herself how to do everything. She liked to make meals, bake desserts, can jam, pickles, fruit, and vegetables. She could quilt, craft, crochet, knit, and sew. Mom loved to smelt, fish for bluegills, and was so proud of catching salmon and canning it herself. We grew up on homemade baked bread! At Christmas, there were sometimes 30 different kinds of cookies she baked. Her rule was that you could not eat any cookies until they were all counted. She always wanted to know how many cookies came from each batch.

Mom always found time to play board games like Scrabble or Racko or play cards. A visit with Marlyn was never complete unless a few rounds of cards were played: Canasta, Kings Corner, Rummy or most likely Three-Thirteen.

There was always a holiday to celebrate or a gathering to dress up for. Mom adored being with her family, friends, and neighbors. She was kind, loving, and generous to all. She made sure everyone was included and invited. There were always extra seats at the table, and if gifts were given, everybody received something to open.

Mom loved to laugh, giggle, hug, and have a great time. Wherever she went, she made friends and was one of the friendliest people you would ever meet. Strangers quickly became friends. She mailed her Christmas cards early so friends, nieces and nephews would receive hers first and smile. For eight years before becoming ill, she devoted all her time to care for an elderly friend. When you were Marlyn’s friend, you were a friend forever.

She is survived by her two daughters Dawn (Opyd) Stencil (Joseph) of McFarland, WI and Debra Opyd of Peoria, IL. Grandchildren, Rachel Stencil (Jeffrey Baswell) of Euharlee, GA, Paul (Harmony) Stencil of Madison, WI, Christi Stencil of Citrus Heights, CA and Holly (Andrew Benson) of Bloomfield, CT. Great grandchildren, Desiree’ Stencil, GA, Bethany Benson, CT, Eve Stencil, and Kaleb Stencil of Madison.

Marlyn was the last of her eight siblings and their spouses: Mildred (Frank) Suffal, AK, Melroy (Marie) Farrand, Tomahawk, Dorothy (former Robert) Winker, OH, Helen (Shannon O’Brien, AK, / former Normal Metcalf, Prentice), Margaret (Edwin) Roberts, MO, Allan (Myrna ‘Jean’), Milwaukee and Leland (Delores) Farrand, WA. She was the last of Walter’s six siblings and their spouses: Rose (Anthony) Lenart, IL, Mary (Albert) Szczecina, IL, Joseph (former Mary) Opyd, IL, Charlotte (Edward Wojciechowski), Milwaukee, Michael (Stephanie) Opyd, IL, and very close sister and brother-in-law Lottie (Cornelius) Guenther of Mosinee.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brighton Hospice for their exceptional love, comfort, and care during mom’s last year.

The funeral mass is 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 12th, 2026, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 611 Stark St., Wausau, WI. Rev. Thomas Lindner will preside. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until mass. Lunch will be served in the adjoining church hall. A private interment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park in the Garden of Eternal Rest, 235962 N Troy St., Wausau, WI on a future date.

Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

In lieu of flowers, consider a red kettle donation at Christmas. Our parents’ home flooded in the 1960s and their young family lost everything. The Salvation Army rescued them and helped them get back on their feet. We were always taught to never pass a kettle without putting a donation in.

Please feel free to wear your favorite hat. Marlyn loved to get together, have fun and wear hats.