Maurice L. Oelfke

Obituary

Maurice Lowell Oelfke was born on April 23, 1942, in Glencoe, Minnesota.  He was the son of Albert and Malinda (Klancke) Oelfke. Maurice was baptized as an infant on May 3, 1942, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 25, 1956, both at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Minnesota. Maurice attended school in Arlington and graduated with the Class of 1960.  He then enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged on January 31, 1968. 

On August 22, 1964, Maurice was united in marriage to LaVonne Kamps by Rev. Vriesen at the St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Parsonage in Hamburg, Minnesota.  The couple made their home on Maurice’s home farm.  Maurice and LaVonne’s marriage was blessed with three children, Keith, Rachel and Jackie.  They shared over 52 years of marriage.

Maurice was a farmer, taking pride in being a good farmer and enjoyed working hard.  After retiring from farming in 2000, he worked at Artic Fox in Delano.  He was a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Minnesota, where he served on the church board.  He was also a member of the Green Isle American Legion Post #408.

Maurice was a character and was known for his witty comments, getting everyone to chuckle or share a smile.  He enjoyed traveling with LaVonne and taking the 4-wheeler for spins around the farm.  Family was very important to Maurice and he valued their company.

Maurice passed away on April 8, 2017, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 15 days. 

Blessed be his memory.

Maurice is survived by his:
Wife, LaVonne Oelfke of Hamburg, MN;
Children, Keith Oelfke and his special friend, Barb Ebeling, of St. Peter, MN,
Rachel Milan and her special friend, Doug Meyer, of Chaska, MN,
Jackie Freidrichs and her husband, Paul, of Belle Plaine, MN;
Former Daughter-in-law, Jenny Oelfke of Waconia, MN;
Grandchildren, Kort Oelfke and Alexa Oelfke;
Brother, Ronald Oelfke of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, Bev Hoeben and her husband, Jim, of Brooklyn Park, MN,
Susy Dahlke and her husband, Darwin, of Belle Plaine, MN,
Sandy Luehrs and her husband, Kevin, of Glencoe, MN;
Maurices’s Canine Sidekick, Chi Chi;
Other relatives and many friends.

Maurice is preceded in death by his Parents, Albert and Malinda Oelfke; Sister, Orine Illies and her husband, Clarence; Sister-in-law, Sharon Oelfke.