Opal Margarette Harris

Opal Margarette Harris passed away Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Hays Medical Center, in Hays, KS. at the age of 98. She was born January 11, 1916, to Rollie John and Della Elma (Grant) Fortune, in Gettysburg Township, Graham County, Kansas. Opal graduated from Lenora Rural High School on May 24, 1936. She married Adolph Elwood Harris December 18, 1946, in Hoxie, Kansas. He passed away December 19, 1994. After graduating from High School, Opal taught school for twelve years. Opal was nearly elected to be the County Superintendent of Schools for Graham County. She lost the election by one vote. If Opal had voted for herself, there would have been a tie. She did not want the position because it would have kept her from teaching which was what she really wanted to do. She loved her students and kept in touch with some of them her entire life. Many attended her 90th birthday party. After Opal and Adolph married, they lived in Hoxie, Kansas until 1954 when they moved to Colorado. In June of 1988, they moved back to Hoxie, and in 1991, due to health reasons, they moved to Hays, Kansas where Opal has continued to make her home. Opal was a warm and loving person. She always had a kind word for everyone. She was the type of person who found good in everyone and all situations. Her relatives and friends were very important to her, and she cared for and loved them very much. She will be missed, but her kind and gentle spirit will live on in the memories and hearts of all those who knew her. Opal is survived by nephew, Ron Wallis of Superior, Nebraska; nieces, Debbie Musselman of Denver, Colorado, Patti McLaughlin of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Connie Moore; sister-in-laws Leona Sauer of Wichita, Kansas and Mabel Harris of Hill City, Kansas. Opal was preceded in death by her parents, Rollie John and Della Elma Fortune; husband, Adolph Harris; brother, Emmett Edward (Jack) Fortune; sisters, Ruth Maureen Wallis and Marlene Bengtson; one nephew and two nieces. Visitation #2: 1024 Sheridan Ave. Hoxie, KS 67740 Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home