Kimberly Ann (Churchill) Oelfke

Obituary

Kimberly Ann (Churchill) Oelfke was born on September 5, 1960, in Westbrook, Minnesota, the eldest daughter of Ruth (Yungerberg) and James Churchill. She was baptized at Sharon Lutheran Church in Revere on October 2, 1960, and confirmed in her faith at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lamberton on April 20, 1975. A proud graduate of Lamberton Public School, Class of 1978, Kim pursued her calling in nursing, earning her LPN degree from Worthington Community College and later her RN degree from Inver Hills Community College.

Kim eventually settled in Glencoe, Minnesota, where she raised her four sons. Over the years, she worked in many nursing roles — including clinic and school settings — before dedicating 21 years of her career to Ridgeview Medical Center. Her compassion, care, and strength touched countless lives through her work.

Outside of her career, Kim’s greatest joy came from time spent with her family, especially her four granddaughters, who were the light of her life. She delighted in tending her beautiful flower gardens, scrapbooking, shopping, and researching her family’s ancestry. She cherished fall days spent watching her boys hunt at the Churchill Family Farm and summer weekends at her happy place — the Lakewood Campground on Lake Washington. For over 20 years, the campground was her second home, a place where friendships turned into family and memories were built that will last a lifetime.

In February 2021, Kim suffered a spinal cord stroke, leaving her legs paralyzed. Just months later, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She faced these battles with extraordinary courage and faith, spending countless hours at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and undergoing cancer treatments, all while continuing to fill her home with love, laughter, and the joyful chaos of her granddaughters. Even as her health declined, Kim’s strength, kindness, and unwavering faith never wavered.

Kim will always be remembered for her giving heart, her resilience, and the love she poured into everyone around her. Her strength and faith leave behind a legacy that will inspire her family and friends for generations to come. Kimberly Ann (Churchill) Oelfke, a devoted mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Blessed be her memory.

Kim is survived by her mother, Ruth Ann (Yungerberg) Churchill (Darold Nissel); her four sons: Jason and LaRissa Oelfke of Glencoe, Minnesota; Zakhary and Amanda Oelfke of Glencoe, Minnesota; Matthew and Rachel Oelfke of Brownton, Minnesota; and Joshua and Brooklyn Oelfke of Arlington, Minnesota; her beloved granddaughters: Evangelina (Lina), Aurora (Rori), RaeLynn, and Emberly; her sister, Vicki and Kurt Schenk of Buffalo, Minnesota; her nephews: Derek Schenk (Abby) of Crystal, Minnesota, Tyler and Kelly Schenk of Buffalo, Minnesota; great-niece Brielle Schenk; her aunt, Evelyn Yungerberg of LaCrosse, WI; many cousins, other relatives, and cherished friends.

Kim is preceded in death by her father, James Winston Churchill; grandparents, Ervin Yungerberg, Edna (Mielke) Yungerberg, Henry Churchill, Anna Marie (Kronback) Churchill; as well as many aunts & uncles.