Ophelia B. “Phil” Guynan, 101, of Schuyler, died Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Brookstone in Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, October 1, 2024 10:30 A.M. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Schuyler with Rev. Mike McCabe, Celebrant. Visitation will be Monday (September 30) from 5-7 with 7 P.M. Rosary KCs and Parish at the church. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at Kracl Funeral Chapel from 8:30am-10am. Committal in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Dinner following in the church hall. Memorials to Masses, Holy Cross or Colfax County Senior Center. Kracl Funeral Chapel of Schuyler in charge of arrangements
Ophelia B. “Phil” Guynan was born March 5, 1923, in Leigh,Nebraska to Joseph and Veronica (Walla) Klinsky. She attended school District 41 in Colfax County, Schuyler Grade School and graduated from Schuyler High School in 1940, along with her future husband John. She was employed by Colfax Loan Company, J.E. McNally Insurance Company, George McNally Law Office and for eight years at the Schuyler State Bank. On June 2, 1948, she married John L. Guynan at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Schuyler. They made their home on the family farm northeast of Schuyler, on the Howell’s Road.
Ophelia was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, St. Augustine’s Catholic church, Little Flower Altar Society, Women of Divine Mercy Parish and Our Lady of the Rosary Study Club. She was an altar society officer, served on the parish council was in the Leadership in Family Ministry Program and taught religion for many years. She was a lector, song leader, rosary leader and sang in the choir for several years. She co-chaired the Red Cross Bloodmobile, was a girl scout leader and member of Grandview Extension Club. She delivered Meals on Wheels, enjoyed dancing with her husband, baking, cooking , gardening and especially, time spent with her family. As a teenager, she taught a 1st Communion class in the back pews of St. Augustine’s Church while Fr. James Dobson taught Cathecism in the front pews. Father Dobson came to Schuyler from Ireland and served at St. Augustine’s parish from 1912-1945.
Survivors include Gina (Doug) Robinson of Omaha, Joe (Mary Ann) Guynan and Bob (Mary Alice) Guynan, of Schuyler, Mary (John) Ridder of Callaway, Ann (Rick) Norrie of Omaha, Jim Guynan of Blair, 26 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John Guynan (May 17, 2011), her parents Joseph and Veronica, sisters Marie, Ann, Marge and Lillian, brothers Joseph and Charles, grandson Thomas Norrie and great-granddaughter, Olivia Ridder.