Racine – Jennifer L Opichka, 34, passed away at University of Chicago Hospital on July 27, 2006 after a brief and courageous struggle with cancer. Jenny was born in West Allis on July 3, 1972, the daughter of Michael and Mary (nee: Boyle) Rick. She was a 1990 graduate of Pius high school, and received a B.S. in Criminal Justice from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 1994. On April 12, 1997 she was united in holy matrimony to Jeffrey Opichka in St. Rita's Catholic Church in West Allis.

Jenny loved her family and her friends. Her greatest joy was found in her children, whom she loved to teach new things and share in their new experiences. She was a proud and dedicated member of the Racine County Sheriff's Department, where she served as a deputy and was recently promoted to an Investigator. She valued education and strived to learn something new each day. She was generous with her time and always willing to help others. Jenny will be deeply missed by all who knew her and whose lives she touched in 34 short years.

Jenny is survived by her devoted husband, Jeff Opichka, and her dearest sons Eddie and Alex; her parents, Michael and Mary Rick; brothers, Jim (Mary Pat) Rick; Dan (fiancé Cheryl Beyer) Rick and; father and mother-in-law, Ron and Darlene Opichka; sister-in-law Linda (Richard) Smith; great grandpas Ed Webber and Oscar Opichka; uncles Jim (Sally) Boyle and Jim Rick; aunts Mary Pat (Jack) Antonicci, Kathy (Dave) Biscoe, and Liz (Jim) Sinclair; nieces and nephews Brendan, Lindsey, Caroline; cousins, Sarah (Mike) Paul, Maurine (fiancé Scott Marek) Boyle, Jim Boyle, Emily Antonicci, John (Kristy) Leutermann, Christopher Leutermann, Katie Leutermann, and Megan Sinclair, as well as many other relatives, friends, and members of the Racine County Sheriff's Department.

The funeral mass for Jenny will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2006 at St. Rita's Catholic Church ( 4339 Douglas Avenue ) with Father Greg Greiten officiating. Internment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held in the Funeral Home on Sunday, August 6, 2006 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer vigil, and in the church on Monday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Memorials to the Eddie and Alex Opichka Fund, c/o Educators Credit Union, 1400 N. Newman Rd, Racine, WI 53406, are encouraged.

The family expresses sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of the University of Chicago Hospital.