Lillian Opal (Bland) Rosenbaum

Lillian Opal (Bland) Rosenbaum, 92, of Stockton, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Stockton Nursing Home. Lillian Opal was born May 27, 1917, the first child of John Daniel and Rena Blanche (Bourland) Bland on a farm east of El Dorado Springs, near the Leila community.

On July 15, 1927, Opal was saved in a tabernacle meeting held by R.C. Oldham and Joe S. Worthington. She consecrated her life in Sanctification on Feb. 21, 1928, in a revival meeting at Herriman Chapel under the ministry of Charlie Mitchell. She was baptized on Aug. 15, 1929, in Cedar Creek at Hackleman’s Bridge. Her life exemplified the life of Christ.

Lillian Opal attended school at Love, Johnson, Flat Rock, Cedar Springs and graduated from the El Dorado Springs High School. She attended the summer session at Warrensburg State Teachers College in preparation for a teaching career. In the fall of 1939 she began teaching at Excelsior Springs School near Stockton. It was while teaching in this community that she met and was courted by Howard William Rosenbaum. After her first and only year of teaching, Howard and Opal were united in marriage on April 7, 1940. Howard preceded her in death on Aug. 10, 2002.

Howard and Opal spent the majority of their married life on their farm Southwest of Stockton. She worked hard and always had a bountiful garden. She was a talented cook, seamstress and homemaker. Her quilts were beautiful and admired. She took care of the many other countless chores that are demanded of one living on a farm. 

Howard served as the Cedar County Treasurer from 1958 to 1978. Opal assisted Howard in the office on many days. Her warm and pleasant personality made visitors feel at ease. Many new friends were made during their tenure in this role. After their retirement, they moved to their home on Ward Street. 

Opal could best be described as a Servant of the Lord. She was used by the Lord, along with others, in “birthing” the Church of
God (Holiness) in Stockton. It was an exciting day for her when they welcomed the Kenneth Smith family to the first Pastors of this new work. Throughout the years, Opal served the church as song leader, Sunday School teacher and took care of any other tasks that needed attention.

She will long be remembered for her gift of hospitality. Her door was always open to family and friends and all were invited to sit at her table and enjoy a scrumptious home cooked meal. There was seldom a day that they did not have company at mealtime. Many ministers and visiting missionaries were guests in her home and whether they needed to stay a night or a week, they always had a warm welcome. 

Opal was a charter member of the Cedar County Federated Republican Women’s Club. She encouraged others to join and be involved in electing conservative officials at all levels of government. 

While caring for her mother, Opal saw a need in providing encouragement and ministry to the elderly that lived in the Stockton Nursing Home. She became a volunteer and was faithful in this role until having a stroke in 1998. Stockton Nursing Home then became her second home. Opal’s legacy will continue to live on. She role modeled patience, courage, strength and a sweet and generous spirit. Throughout her lengthy illness she maintained a pleasant expression and a positive attitude. Even in the midst of great difficultly she never complained.  

Opal is without question, now rejoicing in the beauty and splendor of the Pearly White City, as she is reunited with Howard, whom she has so sorely missed, and the other members of her family who have gone before her. She will be sadly missed by her family but who are looking forward to that day when there will be a great reunion with no more parting and no more tears.
In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Darlene Garrigus and Fern Vilhauer.

Survivors include her sister, Lorene Witt of El Dorado Springs, a large extended family and a host of friends.

Services began 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at the Church on the Hill with Rev. Kenneth Smith officiating. Musical selections Because He Lives and When They Ring Those Golden Bells, were provided by Karen Rains. Interment was in the Gumm Springs Cemetery under the direction of Brumback Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were - Larry Garrigus, Stanley Vilhauer, John Rosenbaum, Jason Moomaw, Carson Hayward and Bradley Hayward.