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Obituary for Opal Fay Durfey


Opal Fay Durfey, 96, of Holmen, Wis., and formerly of Whitewater, Wis., passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse.

She was born March 10, 1929, in Adams County, Wisconsin to Fredrick and Elsie (Colburn) Schoff. Opal was proud of the fact that she raised her son, Larry by herself, as a single mom. She held various jobs but was employed in housekeeping at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater until her retirement.

Opal enjoyed baseball and was a Milwaukee Braves and then a Milwaukee Brewers fan. She also looked forward to spending time with her family.

Survivors include her son, Larry (Kathy) Durfey; two grandchildren, Shane Durfey and Caley (Jim) Ellenberger; and two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Aislynn. A private graveside service will be held for Opal’s family at Green Mound Cemetery in Holmen. Fredrickson Funeral Homes, Jostad Chapel, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at the funeral home website, www.fredricksonfuneralhomes.com.