Mable Marie (Opfer) Bogenrief

Mable (Opfer) Bogenrief, 96, our precious mother, left this earth and into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ on September 25, 2020 in Smithville, Missouri.  She was born on March 13, 1924 in Steele City, Nebraska to Herman and Lena Opfer. She graduated from Fairbury High School and then went to the University of Nebraska to study clothing and design.  

Mable married Virgil Weaver on September 1, 1946.  They were blessed with three children. Virgil passed away in 1954. While raising her family Mable enjoyed selling different products especially World Book Encyclopedias where she worked her way up to District Manager.  Later she was a counselor for blind children at the Martin Luther Home for 17 years. She felt that God prepared her for this task by giving her the opportunity to work for a blind attorney while in college.  She encouraged and trained them to overcome the difficulties they faced. She would get calls from students many years after retiring and would always have time for them and be happy to hear from them.  

Mable was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice. She participated in Church Circle, Bible study, and Sunday school.  She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary, Chat’n’Do Extension Club, Girl Scout Leader and Neighborhood Chairman, lifetime PTA, and many card groups.  She enjoyed being outdoors in nature.  Gardening and caring for her flowers, especially her roses, brought her joy.  Her hobbies included painting, porcelain doll making, crafts, playing cards, bingo, dominos, going to garage sales, and watching sports.  She loved gathering information about her family history and sharing it with her children and grandchildren.

Mable married Alwyn Young in 1969.  Mable and Alwyn enjoyed square dancing and camping across the United States.  He passed away in 1985.  

Seven years later, Mable married Burdette Bogenrief.  They enjoyed spending time with their families in the summer. During the winter months, they were Snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona.  They made wonderful friendships there that have lasted even after Mable could no longer travel.  One of her favorite memories was when Mable and  Burdette traveled to Louisiana with the church to help clean up after the hurricane in 1993.

Mable had a strong faith in God and was blessed to have his love shine through her to her family and friends.  

She is survived by brother, Larry (Anita) Opfer; sons, Gary Weaver of Indianapolis, Indiana, Lloyd (Amy) Weaver of Smithville, Missouri; daughter Kathy (Mike) Rief of Shelby, Nebraska; Burdette’s daughter Deborah (Dennis) Krager of Holstein, Iowa; Burdette’s daughter-in-law Nancy Bogenrief of Correctionville, Iowa;  grandchildren, Ben Weaver of Indianapolis, Indiana,  Holly (Joe) Fenech of Zionsville, Indiana, Alex (Jennifer) Weaver of Powell, Ohio, Jessica (Michael) Stegeman of Homer, Alaska, Nathan (Marianne) Weaver of Kansas City, Missouri, Matt (Ann) Rief of St. Paul, Nebraska, Susan (Kyle) McKee of Blue Springs, Missouri, Stacy (Ryan) Jacobs of Wisner, Nebraska, Joni (Damian) Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska, Scott (Mindy) Rief of Grand Island, Nebraska; Burdette’s grandchildren, Kyle (Kristi) Krager of Cushing, Iowa, Kent(Kaki) Krager of Kansas City, Kansas, Casey (Molly) Krager of Prairie Village, Kansas, Dylan Bogenrief of Correctionville, Iowa, Jesse Bogenrief of Correctionville, Iowa and 30 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Lena (Jasch) Opfer, husbands, Virgil Weaver, Alwyn Young, and Burdette Bogenrief, brothers and their spouses, Floyd and Verna Opfer, Roy and Margaret Opfer, Ray and Wilma Opfer, Elmer and Esther Opfer, and Clarence Opfer.

Mable will be remembered as a kind and caring woman happy to see you and spend  time with you.  She will be deeply missed and remain in the hearts and thoughts of family and friends forever.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the Centenary United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Paixao Baptista officiating.  Masks are optional for the service. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the church.  Memorials are suggested to MOSAIC in care of the mortuary. Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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