Opal Arlene Layman

Obituary for Opal Arlene Hooten Paxton Layman Opal Arlene Hooten Paxton Layman peacefully passed away in her sleep on January 3, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 93 years old. As I read what she provided for her obituary, she politely followed the standard guidelines of any obituary, pointing out that she was the fifth of twelve children. But I, one of her many blessed grandchildren, know she was much more than a number. She briefly noted that her parents and deeply respected grandparents were farmers in Kent, Union County, IA, and had a humble upbringing, being born in the Great Depression. I wanted to convey to those reading her obituary to get a better sense of her, Opal. This beautiful gem that meant so much in many people's lives, so I kept reading what she had written. Grandma writes that she graduated high school and worked full-time at a manufacturing plant. As her humble self, Opal didn't include any substantive details of her long abundant life on this earth, so I will lead you down this path. It wasn't long before my eyes were set on her center, the core, everything about her – her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, her siblings, her enormous faith, and her beloved husband, Eugene. This is where our tribute to her starts to take shape, with some added details not planned initially by her to give you a tremendous sense of Opal. Robert, Mark, Arlinda, and Jackie (her children) filled her life with so much love, dirty faces, laughter, and thread and needles. If you knew Opal, you would already imagine the intricate and beautiful dresses she handmade for her daughters. The countless buttons resewed on her son's shirts from their hours of playing outside. Opal's thread flows through our family, whether on the enormous handmade quilts, we still continue to enjoy or the re-stiched dolls and stuffed animals her grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoy when their eyes or ears fall off. Her simple, straightforward, but beautiful thread, still binds our family. On February 18, 1969, Opal married Eugene Layman and was sealed to him in the Salt Lake City Temple on their sixth wedding anniversary. With this union, Opal welcomed six stepchildren. Annette, Gerald, Darrell, Marlene, Donna, and Dale came into her life, and as she points out in her writings, "her quiver was full." This leads me to her most endearing quality that I must share – her abundance of love, patience, and incredible joy that she gave her family. The tireless ways in which she ensured that her family was taken care of, loved, and nurtured. Again, if you had the opportunity to know Opal, you knew of the monthly family get-togethers, famously named "Hamburger Saturdays," where she would sit with a giant smile in anticipation upon hearing updates from her family. She graciously hosted holidays and beat everyone at Trivial Pursuit. She loved to handmake the materials for Gingerbread houses during the holidays for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to decorate. She loved picnics with her fantastic potato salad – which I honestly don't think anyone can replicate. No trained chef could produce the love she put into cooking for her family. She loved her family time. No, she cherished it. One last tidbit about Opal, and then I will leave you to read the rest of her prepared obituary. Opal was a woman of everlasting faith. One of her favorite scripture is Doctrine and Covenants 112, verse 10, "Be thou humble and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers." She was the President of the Relief Society and immensely enjoyed Visiting Teaching. She left numerous handwritten notes in her scriptures, but Temple Work was her most enjoyable calling. For years, she and Eugene would steadfastly drive their white minivan once a month to do Temple Work in the St. Louis, Chicago, and the Winter Quarters Temples. This calling from her Heavenly Father would include leading tours, scheduling, and teaching newly called temple workers. Whatever was asked of Opal to be of service to anyone, she did without hesitation and with tremendous spirit. Opal was a significant, immensely adored lady and will be greatly missed by countless people. Still, my, and undoubtedly many other's secret hope is to never forget her gentle voice when planting a garden, sewing on a button, or attempting to make her potato salad. Now back to her humbly prepared text. Opal was born August 4, 1929, and is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Ruth Eva Hooten. Her First Husband, Robert Paxton. Second Husband, Eugene Layman. Step Son, Darrell Layman. Siblings Ethel, Russell, Alta Jean, Orland, Alma, Elma, June, and Osben. She is survived by her children, Robert (Linda) Paxton, Mark (Alice) Paxton, Arlinda Hemmerling, and Jackie (Ed) Myers. Stepchildren Annette (Neil) Hinckley, Gerald (Mary) Layman, Marlene Amodeo, Donna Layman, and Dale Layman. Siblings Pearl, Joyce, and Angeline. Many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. I have had a good full long life filled with family, friends, good health, and work in the church. I look forward to seeing my parents again and my grandparents, William and Velretta Lininger and Mikel and Florinda Hooten. It will be a joy to greet them again and to meet for the first time all of our many ancestors whose temple work we have completed and sealed these families together for eternity. I will be there to welcome you when you have finished your mortal life. Celebration of Opal's life will be held 10am, Monday January 9, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 17606 Spaulding Street Omaha, NE Interment, 12:30pm, Monday January 9, 2023 at Omaha National Cemetery. 14250 Schram Road Omaha, NE 68138