John Oehlertz
January 2, 1930 — March 8, 2018
John Henry Oehlertz
John Henry Oehlertz, son of Fritz and Elsie Krohn Oehlertz, was born January 2, 1930 at their home southeast of Avoca, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Avoca. John attended rural school at Valley #1 through 8th grade. He graduated high school in Hancock, Iowa with the class of 1948, John started farming with his dad in 1947.
On February 17, 1952, John was united in marriage to Betty Fries at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Three children were born to this union; Dennis, Keith, and Joyce. After 63 years of living on the family farm, John and Betty moved to Avoca, Iowa in 1993. John enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, traveling and watching his grandchildren’s school activities.
John was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church; he served on the church council, sang in the choir and attended men’s breakfast. He volunteered for the food pantry and served on the Avoca water board. He served on the board of directors for the Avoca State Bank and the Council Bluffs Savings Bank for a total of 15 years.
John was a member and commander of the Avoca American Legion, Fred Funston Post No. 227. He served in the United States Army for 2 years during the Korean War; he spent 1 year in Korea. He was a radar technician for the city of Chicago Defense and received an honorable discharge on December 29, 1956.
John died on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Avoca Specialty Clinic in Avoca, Iowa, attaining the age of eighty-eight years , two months, and six days. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister Verleitta Houser; brother-in- laws Joe Houser, Robert Langer, and Johnny Jensen; daughter-in-law Dana Oehlertz; parents-in-law Herman and Annette Fries.
He has left to cherish his memory, his wife of 66 years Betty Oehlertz of Avoca, Iowa; children Dennis Oehlertz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Keith (Tini) Oehlertz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Joyce (Mark) Schildberg of Greenfield, Iowa; grandchildren David (Brianne) Schildberg; Jennifer (Bailey) Wallace; Will Oehlertz; Elizabeth (Andrew) Lempka; Kelley Schildberg; Max (Grace) Oehlertz; Emily Schildberg; great-grandchildren Oliver Schildberg; Lucile Oehlertz; sister Glenda Langer of Hancock, Iowa; sister-in-law Doris Jensen of Atlantic, Iowa; life-long friend Harold (Catherine) Wagner of Lowry City, Missouri; many nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
John Henry Oehlertz, son of Fritz and Elsie Krohn Oehlertz, was born January 2, 1930 at their home southeast of Avoca, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Avoca. John attended rural school at Valley #1 through 8th grade. He graduated high school in Hancock, Iowa with the class of 1948, John started farming with his dad in 1947.
On February 17, 1952, John was united in marriage to Betty Fries at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Three children were born to this union; Dennis, Keith, and Joyce. After 63 years of living on the family farm, John and Betty moved to Avoca, Iowa in 1993. John enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, traveling and watching his grandchildren’s school activities.
John was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church; he served on the church council, sang in the choir and attended men’s breakfast. He volunteered for the food pantry and served on the Avoca water board. He served on the board of directors for the Avoca State Bank and the Council Bluffs Savings Bank for a total of 15 years.
John was a member and commander of the Avoca American Legion, Fred Funston Post No. 227. He served in the United States Army for 2 years during the Korean War; he spent 1 year in Korea. He was a radar technician for the city of Chicago Defense and received an honorable discharge on December 29, 1956.
John died on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Avoca Specialty Clinic in Avoca, Iowa, attaining the age of eighty-eight years , two months, and six days. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister Verleitta Houser; brother-in- laws Joe Houser, Robert Langer, and Johnny Jensen; daughter-in-law Dana Oehlertz; parents-in-law Herman and Annette Fries.
He has left to cherish his memory, his wife of 66 years Betty Oehlertz of Avoca, Iowa; children Dennis Oehlertz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Keith (Tini) Oehlertz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Joyce (Mark) Schildberg of Greenfield, Iowa; grandchildren David (Brianne) Schildberg; Jennifer (Bailey) Wallace; Will Oehlertz; Elizabeth (Andrew) Lempka; Kelley Schildberg; Max (Grace) Oehlertz; Emily Schildberg; great-grandchildren Oliver Schildberg; Lucile Oehlertz; sister Glenda Langer of Hancock, Iowa; sister-in-law Doris Jensen of Atlantic, Iowa; life-long friend Harold (Catherine) Wagner of Lowry City, Missouri; many nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
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