Albina Opeka

Albina J. Opeka, 100, of Beach Park, IL, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025 at home.

Bina was born January 18, 1925 in North Chicago, IL, and lived there for almost 70 years. She attended North School and graduated from Waukegan Township High School with the Class of 1943.

On July 13, 1946, Bina married Tony Opeka at Mother of God Church in North Chicago. They had 28 wonderful years together which produced her beloved family of four children. Bina lost the love of her life on July 28, 1974.

Throughout her life Bina had various occupations. She worked at Double Dip, Co-Op, Tenth Street Hardware, North Shore Caterers and took care of her families in Lake Forest and Wilmette for many years.

Bina was always generous in every part of her life. She gave her time, donations and ingenuity to the organizations she was active in. Before she became the Potica Lady, she was the Pizza Lady. Bina and Tony were founding members of the Mustang Booster Club at Mother of God when she came up with the idea to sell frozen Tombstone Pizzas as a fundraiser which resulted in funds available for sports equipment. She also belonged to the SNPJ Lodge 14, was active at the Slovenic Hall and loved to play Bolina. She was a member of KSKJ, St. Roaks Catholic Womens Club, a sewing club and a card club. She was a parishioner of Mother of God Church and then Queen of Peace. When she wasn’t busy baking Potica she loved to go Polka Dancing at the Slovenic Hall, and later at the Hiawatha in Sturtevant.  Bina also loved to watch and cheer for the Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks.

Although she was the last surviving member of her generation, she leaves her family to cherish her memory. She is survived by her children, Tom (Sharon) Opeka, Peggie Opeka, Mary Beth (Jack) Metcalf and Steve (Princess) Opeka; nine grandchildren, Cassandra (Dave) Deavers, Diane (Mark) Wilson, Sandy (Brad) Czernik, Kathy Held, Michelle (Carl) Blakely, Tony (Dinora) Metcalf, Ben (Monica Franz) Metcalf, Rolando (Dawn) Pulido and Matthew (Amanda) Pulido; 17 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. A second visitation will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025 from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 910 14th Street, North Chicago, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KSKJ Life Foundation, 2439 Glenwood Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435 or Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660.