Alice Elizabeth Oehlenschlager

Alice Elizabeth Oehlenschlager age 96 formerly of Lyons Township, Wadena County, MN died Sunday, January 31, 2010 at Shady Lane Nursing Home in Wadena, MN. Alice Elizabeth (Marshall) Oehlenschlager was born July 1, 1913 to Milo and Marie (Vasecka) Marshall in Staples, Minnesota. In 1915, the family moved to Lyons Township, where Alice grew up and lived for most of her life. Alice attended grade school at 55 N. She completed high school in Staples and graduated in 1932. Alice continued her schooling in Staples, through the Normal Teachers Training program. She taught for 11 years in various districts and during Archie's absence, ran the farm. Her children even had the misfortune of having their mother as their teacher when she substituted for a permanent teacher. Alice married Archie Oehlenschlager on December 29, 1937. They raised four children. Alice was extremely active in the community over the years, participating as a 4H leader, as a board member of district 55 N., she served on the Wadena County Welfare board for eight years. Alice taught Sunday school and served as the Sunday school superintendent for many years. She was well known for picking up the neighborhood children, to make sure they made it to Sunday school. Alice was also active in the Nimrod flower club, Women's Missionary club, Oylen Birthday club, and sewing circle. For years, she taught the neighborhood girls knitting and crocheting. Alice was a profound rock hound and insisted that every rock had its place. Alice also wrote the neighborhood column for the Sebeka Review and Wadena Pioneer Journal newspapers for about 30 years. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Archie Oehlenschlager, son John Oehlenschlager, and daughter Carolyn Koskiniemi, brother's John and Harry Marshall, and sister Gladys (Marshall) Harne. She is survived by two sons, Richard (Margaret Mary) Oehlenschlager, Mounds View, MN; Steven (Dionne) Oehlenschlager, Alexandria, MN; daughter-in-law Kay Oehlenschlager, son-in-law Lester Koskiniemi, Nimrod, MN; Grandsons, Steve (Patty), John, Chad (Tricia), Erik Oehlenschlager, Jesse (Julie) Koskiniemi, Granddaughters Mary (Jim) Stiles, Kelly (Tom) Fennell, and 12 great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Sebeka United Methodist Church with Pastor Loren Ferch officiating and soloing “On Eagles Wings.” Jayne Koskiniemi will serve as organist. Congregational hymns will be “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Amazing Grace” and “In the Garden.” Active Casketbearers are “John Oehlenschlager Jr., Steve Oehlenschlager Jr., Chad Oehlenschlager, Erik Oehlenschlager, Jesse Koskiniemi and Jim Stiles. Following lunch served by the women of the Church interment will be at Marshall-Lyons Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home Sebeka, MN.