Visitation, 5:00p.m~7:00p.m Tuesday, December 26, 2023, Wake service starting at 7:00p.m at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30a.m Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Michael Duane Oehler, 78, of Missouri Valley, Iowa passed away in the early hours of December 22, 2023.
Michael was born on September 30th, 1945, to parents Michael John Oehler and Lucy Danberry Oehler in Mankato, Minnesota, the youngest child of three with his oldest sister Rosemary and his older brother Robert as siblings. Growing up on a farm, Michael went on to graduate from St. John’s University with a degree in mathematics, and at the age of 23, was drafted by the US Army to become an Airborne qualified Infantry officer. He led a platoon in the central highlands of Vietnam for a year with the 101st and 82nd Airborne units and successfully got his soldiers back home alive.
Post Army career, Michael returned to begin a successful restaurant franchise with his older brother Robert which lasted for thirty-six years until he retired at the age of 62. After the restaurant, he continued to work in the construction business, security guard at UNMC, and veteran service officer in Logan, IA. He was passionate about helping Veterans and young kids, and his role as a local restaurateur gave him the opportunity to work with young kids and teach them responsibility on the job. As a veteran’s service officer, he guided Veterans with all of their needs and questions. In the beginning days of opening the first restaurant in Onawa, Iowa, a young college student from California applied to be a waitress by the name of Patricia Kirby which culminated in a marriage that would last 51 years. Together, Michael and Patricia raised three children: Thomas, Teresa and Michael Jr.
Michael enjoyed playing poker with his friends, attending Nebraska football and Creighton basketball games with his family, hunting, fishing and reading. Charmingly easy going, funny and very bright, Michael was an excellent husband, father, uncle, grandpa, and friend, and he was also generously involved with his local Catholic parish of St. Patrick’s.
Remaining to remember him with fond memories are his wife Patricia Oehler, son Thomas (Jaymie) Oehler, daughter Teresa (JT) Montgomery, his son Michael S. Oehler and his four grandchildren: Michael D. Oehler, Nathan Oehler, Ethan Montgomery and Avery Montgomery.
He is preceded in death by his parents Michael and Lucy Oehler, his brother Robert and his oldest sister Rosemary.
He was an active member in the community and belonged to Lions Club, St. Patrick’s Board of Education, American Legion, as well as the local food pantry.
Memorial donations in Michael’s name can be given to the Wounded Warrior Project or Harrison County Food Pantry.
3 Comments
Pat and family, I miss Mike’s presence already. Mike was and will always be a wonderful example to all of us. My love, support, thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mike was a great boss at Happy Chef and was very pleasant to work with and work for. I was one of the first employees in the Missouri Valley restaurant and helped get things ready for the restaurant’s opening. I worked there during high school and summers into college. I was always treated fairly and respectfully. Mike and I went pheasant hunting near MV one very cold day and of course came home with no game, but knowing each other a little bit better. One bit of advice he gave me in the restaurant was that you could tell a good cook by his good bowl of soup. I still like to make soup and my family thinks it’s pretty good. My thanks to Mike for helping me get off to a good start in my working career. My condolences to Pat and Mike’s family. He provided an excellent role model for his employees and has gone too soon.
Just heard today, sorry for your loss . So many stories from Happy Chef kitchen. Both my siblings worked there and I met my wife there also.
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