Gerald M. Oestreich, 85, of the Town of Texas, Marathon County, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, at his home under the care of his family and hospice.
Gerald was born July 23, 1933, in Tigerton, son of the late Albert and Clara (Spieth) Oestreich. Gerald’s first marriages were to Joyce Gardner in 1952 and Rita Howard in 1975. He married Lois Behm in 1990. She survives. Gerald had worked at Wausau Metals. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially enjoyed fishing trips to Canada twice a year. Gerald also enjoyed gardening, taking care of his lawn, and reading western novels. Gerald was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River, and was a former officer of the church.
Survivors include his wife, Lois Oestreich, of Wausau; children, Lonnie Selje, of Wisconsin Rapids, Daniel Oestreich (Brenda Koehler), of Adell, and Jerilin (James) Gonwa, of Menomonie Falls; his stepchildren, Lori Howard, of Illinois, Lynn (Lisa) Howard, of Stoughton, Lisa Howard, of Appleton, Beth (Mark) Heckendorf, of Merrill, Michael (Jennifer) Utech, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and William (Danette) Utech, of Kenosha; 23 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Gene (Linda) Oestreich, of Lake Tomahawk. Besides his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Selje; and a sister, Elaine Schafer.
The funeral service for Gerald will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River. The Rev. Greg Laska will officiate. Burial will take place Tuesday morning in Union Cemetery, Tigerton. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.
The family requests that memorials be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River, or The Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.