Harold Oehler

Harold E. Oehler, 100, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, December 28, 2009 at the Hospice House.  Harold was born on September 17, 1909 in Milbank, SD, the son of William and Amanda (Oeder) Oehler. As an infant, his family moved to the Portland, OR area, later moving to Goodrich, ND. He attended school in Goodrich and then at North Dakota State University, graduating in 1930 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. On September 17, 1935, he married Dena Walch at the Oehler family farm in Goodrich. They farmed near Goodrich until 1946, when they moved to Otter Tail County, near Jewett Lake, where they farmed. In 1965 they moved to Western Township and continued farming until 1991, when they moved into Fergus Falls. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he served on various boards, The Golden “K” Kiwanis Club, and the Farm Bureau. While in North Dakota he served on the school board. In addition, he was an assessor for Elizabeth Township from 1960-1965 and was a 4-H leader for Friberg Township. In his later years he was very involved with the Senior Center. Harold was also known for his softball pitching and his enjoyment of carving birds. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Dena, who died on January 1, 1997, four brothers and one sister. Survivors include two children; Nancy (Arnie) Finstrom of Colorado Springs, CO and Dan (Sonyia) Oehler of Erhard; 6 grandchildren, Kim Knutson, Kevin (Karen) Oehler, Michael (Lisa) Oehler, Jane (Grey) Finstrom-Schmidt, David Finstrom, Merri-Jill (Ferdie) Finstrom; 8 great-grandchildren, Joshua (fiancé Erin) Knutson, Jessica (Chester) Raguse, Billy Oehler, Michael Oehler Jr, Emilyn Oehler, Rebecca Oehler, Matthew Oehler, and Kiana Villegas, and numerous nieces and nephews.