Obituaries "O"

Oehlers, Gustav W. Gustav William Oehlers was born on Sept. 26, 1877 in Reedsburg, to Claus Oehlers and his wife Amelia, nee Schroeder. He passed away on May 19, 1952, after having been in failing health for some time. He was baptized in St. John's Lutheran church, and on April 19, 1892 was confirmed in that church by the Rev. Hugo Haunfeldt. He spent his entire life in Reedsburg and was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for over 40 years. His early career was in the firm of Oehlers and Howland, and later he was associated with F. J. Bartlett under the name of G. W. Oehlers Company. Gustav Oehlers was one of the founders of the the Farmers and Merchants Bank, which he helped organize in 1938, and served as president of the bank until failing health forced him to retire. He had been an active and loyal member of St. John's Lutheran church. He had served on its church council and was very active during the construction of the present church. He served on the building committee and was a tireless worker. He is survived by one brother, Reinhold of Rio, and a sister, Mrs. Lauverne Coleman, with whom he made his home; also by one niece and one nephew. The funeral was held on May 22 at St. John's Lutheran church with the Rev. A. S. Christensen officiating and burial was in the church cemetery. Taken from the Reedsburg Times Press of 6-5-1952.

Olson, Ben. Ben Olson, 75, died Monday morning after a one-car accident just east of Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells Police Chief Bret Anderson said Olson was travelling west on Highway 16 when his vehicle went off the road. Preliminary investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff's Department showed that Olson's 2001 Dodge Dakota truck crashed after crossing the highway as it curved. The truck continued into the ditch and struck several trees before coming to rest. Olsen was unconscious and not breathing when Wisconsin Dells emergency personnel arrived. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Olson was pronounced dead on the way to St. Clare Hospital. Anderson said that Olson's death resulted from a heart attack while he was driving home. "The actual motor vehicle crash was secondary," Columbia County Coroner Mark Playman said. Olson was a prominent businessman in the Wisconsin Dells area. His brother Jack, also an eminent figure, passed away this summer. "His death is a loss to the community. He was a fine man and a fine businessman," Anderson said. "His concerns were always for the city of Wisconsin Dells. His views weren't much different than his brother, Jack's. He was a friend of mine and will be sorely missed."

Ott, Esther D. Esther D. Ott, age 93, of Reedsburg, died on Monday evening, Aug. 25, 2003, in the Sauk County Health Care Center. She was born on April 13, 1910, in the township of Reedsburg, the daughter of Henry and Bertha (Ritzer) Thies Sr. On Feb. 17, 1935, she was married to Harold A. Ott. Esther was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing cards, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will especially remembered for her rose garden and her Christmas cookies. Survivors include three children, Duane (Geraldine) Ott of Singapore, Marjorie Schmidt of Reedsburg, and Carla (Clifford) Ott-Oldre, of Maple Grove, Minn.; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth (Clarence) Dreifke of Reedsburg, and LaVera (Milton) Wollschlager of Reedsburg; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Thies of Reedsburg, and Milda Thies of Marshfield; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, on Feb. 25, 1984; her parents; a grandson, Curtis Schmidt; her son-in-law, Robert Schmidt; seven brothers, Henry Jr., Erwin, Herbert, Clarence, Carl, Raymond and Norman; and a sister, Marcella Giese. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, Loganville. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, at the HOOF FUNERAL HOME, Reedsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Peter's Restoration Fund or the Sauk County Health Care Center would be appreciated.