James Edward Oehrlein, 92, of Albany, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Cherrywood Advanced Living in St. Cloud.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, January 25th at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Interment followed in the parish cemetery.
Jim was born December 15, 1927 to William and Clara (Vos) Oehrlein. One of thirteen children, Jim spent his youth working and playing on the farm. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Army and served in Japan following WWII. He was honorably discharged and returned home to continue his education at St. John’s University. In 1950, Jim married Valeria Buerman. The couple lived in St. Paul for a few years where Jim worked for Northwest Airlines as a mechanic. However, city life didn’t quite bring Jim the joy as life on the farm had, so they returned to St. Anthony to run the century farm he grew up on. They raised nine children on the farm. Jim also worked for Sta-Rite Dairy supplies as a Milk Equipment Sales Representative. Jim and Val valued education and instilled that in their children. Jim also committed several years to the Albany Area School Board and advocated special education opportunities. The children were encouraged to be active in sports and other activities. Jim and Val enjoyed attending as many of these events as they could. Following his retirement from farming, Jim worked as an Assessor for ASC Office, an endeavor that allowed him to stay active in farming and help his neighbors.
Jim’s happy place was the farm. Years after the last cow had been milked and the last field plowed, he would journey out there to putz on whatever he could find. His family meant everything to him, and he was always looking for a good reason to have a “wiener roast” or golf outing. He never met a 500 hand he couldn’t make an 8 bid on, a grandchild he didn’t cherish or a chocolate chip cookie he could pass up. His one-liners will be forever missed; but his big heart and helpful hands will never be forgotten.
Jim is survived by his wife of 69 years, Val; children, Terry (Patti), Bev (Sandy), Kathy, Mark (Gail), Lottie (Jim Kane), Mike (Tina), Jim (Sherrie), Carol, and Amy; grandchildren, Rhonda (Jed Harting), Kim (Josh Lange), Robin (Matt Warden), Nathan (Amanda), Ross (Lacy), Ryan (Ashley), Sarah, Jordyn, Maddie, Alex and Sean; great-grandchildren, Ava, Griffin, Lilianna, Deegan, Jaxson, Zander, Blakelee, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Jersey, Sam, Rhett, Everly, and Rhya; siblings, Bill (Mary) and Marlene (Dale); and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Dolores, Vera, Werner, Arnold, Rosemary, Ted, Leon, Wilfred, Lorraine, and Donna.
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