Opal Pauline Karcher

Opal Pauline Karcher, 84 of Parkville, MO, went home to be with the Lord on April 9, 2018. Her tenacious spirit, strength, love and firm belief in God supported her through her struggles and ultimately led her home. Opal was born to Elias and Amie Potts on July 9, 1933 in Wyandotte County, KS. Opal was blessed with an older sister, Treva, and a younger brother, Vinton, whom she loved dearly. After suddenly losing her father at the young age of 3, Opal was raised by a single and hardworking mother. Shortly before his death, Opal's father came to know the Lord and was influential her mother Amie desiring to find the same Savior as Elias had found. Amie began attending the Argentine Nazarene Church and taking her children with her. As a child, Opal, accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior, following after her mother and father's legacy. Opal's love for Jesus grew deeper and her faith stronger, as she followed His will for her life and pursued a career as a Registered Nurse. She Graduated from Bethany Hospital School of Nursing. Opal began working at Bethany Hospital, and later Spellman Memorial Hospital where she worked almost every area of nursing imaginable. In 1959, Opal became a Lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps, a title which she was forever proud to hold. Shortly after her time in the Navy came to a close, Opal accepted a secretarial positional at TWA, where she met the love of her life and husband, Richard Karcher. Opal and Richard were married on April 11, 1964, and were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Amy and Heidi. Opal raised her daughters to desire a relationship with the Lord and to follow in the Godly legacy set before them. Years later, Opal was blessed with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was an incredibly adoring Nana and could often be heard saying, "Grandchildren are the only good part about getting old!" Opal was a Godly woman who was bold in her faith. She chose to live out the words of one of her favorite bible passages, Proverbs 3:5&6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not onto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". She spent many years teaching youth and children at the Metropolitan Nazarene church and was influential in leading many souls to the Lord. She had a legacy set before her by her mother and father, and desired to live a life for Christ, always making sure to tell her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren about the Godly legacy set before them and about the importance of a relationship with Jesus. She was outspoken about both her religious and political beliefs and shared both with anyone desiring to listen. Opal enjoyed writing gospel songs in her spare time and singing them while playing her guitar or piano. She was gifted musically and used her talent to bring praise to the Lord. She also found much joy in bowling, and watching any football game that was on. Opal is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Richard; her daughters, Amy Falter and Heidi Cannon; her grandchildren, Ashley Haas, Whitney Cannon, Caleb Falter, Morgan Cannon, Joshua Falter, and Hope Cannon; as well as two great grandchildren, Juliet Welch and Harper Haas. She is preceded in death by her parents Elias and Amie Potts, her sister, Treva Whitehead, and her brother, Vinton Potts and many other loved ones that were waiting for her when the Lord welcomed her home. The visitation for Opal will be at the College Church of the Nazarene in the Garrett Chapel in Olathe, KS on Thursday, April 19th from 10:30am - 12:00pm where a funeral will begin at noon. Burial will immediately follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St Luke's Hospice House.

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Opal Pauline Karcher

July 9, 1933 - April 9, 2018