Ollendieck, Wayne Francis 1947 - 2018
OLLENDIECK, REINHARDT, HEIDE, BRIES, PETER, LEHRMAN, ROSENBAUM, LENTZKOW, WENTHOLD, BURNIKEL
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:20
Wayne “Ollie” Francis Ollendieck, 71, lost his long courageous battle with cancer and its painful and debilitating complications on February 27, 2018 at home in his favorite spot in the sunroom.
Wayne was born on January 8, 1947 to Ray and Lucille (Reinhardt) Ollendieck. He shared his birthday with Elvis Presley and always made sure everyone knew it, while waiting for his Pink Cadillac to be delivered from Elvis. Wayne grew up on the family farm 2 miles east of Cresco where he helped his Dad in the fields and milked cows.
He attended St. Joseph grade school and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1965. Wayne was able to attend his 50th class reunion in 2015.
Wayne was drafted into the Army in May 1966 and was honorably discharged in May of 1968. He was stationed for 19 months in Babenhausen, Germany. Wayne was honored with the presentation of his “Quilt of Valor” in April of 2017. After his discharge from the service, Wayne started working at the newly opened Donaldson Company in Cresco. He worked there for 41 years - many of those years as lead person on line 413.
Wayne and Sharon Heide were married on September 12, 1970. To this union four children were born – Jill, Sally, Jena and Lance. Wayne was always very proud of his children and his grandchildren were the love of his life. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and he especially enjoyed the family trips. He always enjoyed helping getting the food ready for family gatherings, and it was always requested he make his deviled eggs and egg salad sandwiches.
Wayne enjoyed mowing lawn, golfing, bowling and trying his luck at black jack at the casino. He was on a bowling league for over 45 years and was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in 2002. He loved sports either attending games or watching them on TV and especially cheering on HIS “Green Bay Packers” and “Atlanta Braves”. He was also a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Twins. You always knew who his teams were by his clothing attire!
Wayne was the adjutant for the American Legion Post 135 for many years. He spearheaded the projects of purchasing the bronze statue of the “Fallen Soldier” that is in front of the American Legion Hall and the purchase of the outside benches at the American Legion Bingo stand at the fairgrounds. For many years he was proud of being the chairman of the American Legion Bingo Stand during the fair.
Everyone that knew “Ollie” knew he enjoyed having a good time and he loved to dance!
He has now found peace and comfort without pain.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 47 years children: Jill (Gene) Bries of Elkader, IA; Sally (Brian) Peter of Ridgeway, IA, Jena (Tony) Lehrman of Stewartville, MN; Lance Ollendieck (Dayna Rosenbaum) from Cedar Falls, IA. Grandchildren: Hunter Bries (Emily Lessard) of Dyersville, IA and Spencer Bries (Anna Lentzkow) of Waterloo, IA, Mason, Laney and Mitchell Peter, Kaylee, Owen and Jase Lehrman.Sisters, Betty Wenthold and Dorene (Butch) Burnikel and a brother Jerry Ollendieck.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Lucille Ollendieck and his mother and father-in-law Kenneth and Jeannie Heide. Thank you to Howard County Hospice for the care Wayne received this past year.
A special “Thank you” to Hospice Care givers Nikky and Leigh who took such special care of him.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
New Oregon Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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