Renate Lydia Opolony Beichert

Renate Beichert, age 89, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025. She was born February 20, 1936, in Breslau, Germany, to Bernhard and Magdalena Opolony. Her early life can be described as one of survival starting at birth where she was set aside with what appeared to be jaundice so the doctors could deliver her twin brother since back then, boys had priority over girls. Once he was taken care of, she was successfully treated and saved.

Her early years coincided with WWII, so she did not see much of her father who was fighting in it. Her family was forced to leave their town before it was destroyed by Russians. They spent weeks living as refugees and were captured by Czechoslovakians. Facing execution, they were spared by a forgiving Russian commander (probably due to her smile). Her family ended up in Nordhorn, West Germany, where her father would become mayor.

Her young adult years were adventurous. At 15, she and her sister, Gisela, would embark on a 30-day 300 mile bicycle journey to a German landmark called the Deutsche Ecke (German corner). At age 82, she and her two sons retraced the route.

Renate was neighbors with Ida and Georg Beichert who migrated to the USA and told Renate if she ever wanted to come, she had a place to stay. So, in 1956, she packed her bags and made the journey by boat to New York City to meet Johannes “Hans” Beichert, Georg and Ida’s son. They traveled back to Salt Lake City, fell in love, got married, and had three children (Bernard, Carolyn, Andy).

Not knowing any English except for “yes” and “no,” Renate started learning it at her first job at a bookbinder. She also worked as a house cleaner, and her house was the cleanest on the block — so clean, some would call it “Renate Clean.” She also worked at Siegfried’s German Delicatessen, making sausages, serving up lunches and managing the store. She retired as a jewelry polisher at OC Tanner. All of her employers loved her German work style and smile.

Renate and Hans would build a cabin at Bear Lake where they spent almost every summer weekend from the mid 70’s to the early 2000’s. It created many memories for them, their family, and the many friends who would visit and stay there. Renate was very good at being the cabin hostess.

Her travels included going to Germany several times to see her and Hans’ family. They visited many other European countries, the South Pacific, Alaska, and many places in the US, especially Arizona. Their favorite vacation spot was Hawaii where they visited three times.

Renate always made sure visitors were fed, usually something sweet. The Beicherts were known as the coffee and cake house, and around 4:00pm weekends, folks would show up knowing she would be serving something good and would listen to what you had to say.

Renate is survived by her sister, three children, four grandchildren (Andreya, Amanda, Gabrielle, Ferrell), three great-grandchildren (Roman, Lena, Dmitry). She was preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother, Klaus, and her husband, Johannes. We love her inspiration and are beyond grateful and appreciative she was our mother. She had a peaceful ending, and the family appreciates and thanks her caregivers and Hospice of the Valley who greatly assisted in her end-of-life needs.

A Funeral Mass for her will be held Monday, December 29, 2025, 12:00pm at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 1375 Spring Lane, SLC, UT. A viewing will be held one hour prior to Mass. The Interment Dedication will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 275 U St, SLC, UT. Afterwards, everyone is invited to a celebration party for her life at "Meet Me On 33rd," 1565 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT, where food and drink will be served.