She was born to Martin and Fredericka (Schnabel) Bender on the farm in Zeeland, ND. She attended school in North Dakota, growing up on a farm east of Zeeland with seven brothers and two sisters. She was married to Ivan Opp at Venturia, ND on February 2, 1944. That spring they moved to a farm in Fredonia, ND. After two years, they sold out and moved to Nampa, ID. While there; they managed a grocery store. They moved to Lodi, CA where Ivan worked for General Mills. Since they both missed the farm life; they moved back to Ipswich, SD in 1949 and in 1954, they bought a farm southeast of Britton, SD. They farmed there for 34 years. They built a home in Britton and lived there for 13 years. In 1990, because of Ivan’s health, they sold their house in Britton and moved to Aberdeen, SD. Ivan passed away in 2008. In 2014, LaRue relocated to Prescott, AZ. While living in Britton, LaRue was a member of the United Methodist Church, active in UMW and was a Sunday School teacher, Bible school teacher, Trustee and Financial Secretary for nine years. After moving to Aberdeen, SD, she became a member of the First United Methodist church where she volunteered for many years in the church office. LaRue loved gardening and had a green thumb when it came to growing spectacular flowers. Anything she could do to be outside. She liked to walk and participated in the Cancer Relay for Life for many years. She made snowmen from old chenille bedspreads. She liked to embroider in the winter months and helped with Senior meals. She loved to sing hymns, cooking, baking, and helping others. www.spitzerfuneralhome.com