Michael Oehler

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.