Johnny J. Opat

Johnny “John” J. Opat, age 53, of Rochester, Minn., died of cardiac amyloidosis on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Hospital - St. Mary’s Campus, Rochester.

A mass of Christian Burial was held on Dec. 7, 2015, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rochester.  Memorials are preferred to the family and will be put towards amyloidosis research.

John was born on March 9, 1962, in Mason City, Iowa, to Wesley and Dolores (Ludwig) Opat.  He graduated from Crestwood High School in Cresco, Iowa and from North Iowa Area Community College.  He was a salesman for a short time at Sears before starting his lifetime career as a car salesman.  John began his career in Winona, Minn. at several dealerships and spent the last 25 years at Clements Chevrolet in Rochester.  On Sept. 18, 1998, he created his cherished family when he married Peggi Rose Morken.

John enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, out west to Yellowstone and especially vacationing with his grandchildren in Alexandria to fish.  He enjoyed NASCAR and traveled to Daytona Beach for Daytona 500 many times.  John also raced stock cars in his lucky #29.  He loved being by the water, both the lake and the ocean.  He was lovable, compassionate and giving to his family, friends and customers.

John was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

John is survived by his wife, Peggi, of Rochester; sons, Luke (Daphne) Dickens, Des Moines, Iowa, John Morken, Rochester; daughter, Katie Morken, Rochester; four beautiful grandsons, who were his “best little pals,” Micah, Carson, Alec and Declan; mother, Dolores Opat-Ludwig, Clear Lake; brothers Les Opat, Lime Springs, Iowa, Matthew (Therese) Opat, Chatfield, Minn.; sister, Liz (Clark) Wiger, Chatfield; nieces and nephews, who thought he was the best; mother-in-law, Jean Rose, Winona, Minn.; brothers-in-law, Mike Rose, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Stephen (Jennifer) Rose, Rochester, and Dan (Julie) Rose, Muscatine, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Ray) Giebel, Rochester, and Pat Rose, Winona; and other extended family members.

John was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Opat; brother, Joel Opat; nephew, Christopher Opat; and father-in-law, Everett Rose.