Wilfred (Bill) Olinger, 81, of Albert Lea, Minn. died Saturday, May 1, 2010 at his home in Albert Lea.
Bill was born Sept. 30, 1928, in Emery, S.D., the son of Edward and Mary (Schiltz) Olinger. On Aug. 18, 1953, he was united in marriage to Irene Bartscher at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Farmer, S.D.
Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 until 1954. He was a master electrician in South Dakota and Minnesota for many years until he moved his family to Albert Lea to begin his teaching career. He taught electrical construction at the vocational technical college in Albert Lea for 20 years, training many local electricians. After he retired from teaching, he was a Minnesota State Electrical Inspector. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus.
Bill was a devoted husband and father. He loved spending time with his family, playing cribbage with his grandsons, watching Twins games and attending his grandchildren’s school events. He was very proud of all of his children and grandchildren. Bill enjoyed woodworking, fishing and renovating houses in the Albert Lea area, working alongside his best partner, his wife Irene. Bill was a man of deep and devoted faith. He will be sadly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Irene; children, Bonnie (Roger) Erickson of Austin, Ronald (Peggy) Olinger of St. Joseph, Mo., Janet (Robert) Hartman of Albert Lea, Minn., Terry (Paula) Olinger of Great Falls, Mont., Sharon (Dave) Harris of Lacrosse, Wis., Jodi (Clay) Eschrich of Prior Lake, Minn., Patti (Dennis) Trabing of Prior Lake, Minn., Kristi (Steven) Kreun of Albert Lea, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Cindy Oquist of Monticello, Minn.; 29 grandchildren, Brooke (Ryan) Jordan, Alex and Katie Erickson, Christopher (Nicole) Olinger, Michael (Jamie) Olinger, Sarah (Kurt) Albin, Bob, Amie, Ryan and Ted Hartman, Stacey, Jessica and Daniel Olinger, Ben and Lauren Harris, Adam (Lyndsi), Jacob (Samantha) and DeDe Olinger, Emily, Alyssa and Maggie Eschrich, Erica, Drew and Sonnie Trabing, Steven, Jonathan, William, Joseph and Timothy Kreun; great- grandchildren include, Olyvia, Avery and Jackson Olinger; sisters, Rose Tammen, Sr. Dorothy Olinger OSB and Irma Helgeland; brother, Ray Olinger; numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved son Timothy Olinger; his parents; his brothers, Joseph and Anthony; and one sister, Margaret.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at St. Theodore Catholic Church. Father James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Theodore Catholic Church and one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be a scripture prayer service at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Groups.
Memorials preferred to St. Theodore Catholic School.
Arrangements are by Bonnerup Funeral Service.