Iowa soldier who died while on duty in Iraq was laid to rest this morning. Twenty-nine-year-old Army specialist Christopher Opat, a native of Lime Springs, died on duty in Iraq on June 15th. The Army says the non-combat incident involving his death is still under investigation.

Opat graduated from Crestwood High School in 2000 and also earned an associate’s degree from Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. Opat joined the Army in 2003 and was on his third tour with Operation Iraqi Freedom when he died. He is survived by his parents Leslie and Mary Katherine Opat of Cresco and two sisters and three brothers.

Opat’s funeral was held at the Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco and he was buried at Our Lady Of Lourdes Cemetery in Elma.