Richard Lawrence Olerich, age 84, of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake. Richard was born on November 24, 1935 to Leonard and Marie (Schulte) Olerich in Carroll Country, IA. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake. Richard attended Wheatland #4 country school until the eighth grade, he later earned his GED. He continued to stay on the farm to help his Dad and neighbors. He then enlisted in the United States Army from 1956-1958. He was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. After being honorably discharged he was in the Army Reserves.
Richard met the love of his life, Diane Berg and was united in marriage on April 18, 1959 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia, IA. They lived their entire married life in Wall Lake. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. This union was blessed with four children: Cheryl, David, Patti and Janet. Richard worked at Schroeder Elevator, and then at Speed’s Auto Supply, as a mechanic for many years until he retired in 2000. He was a member of the Wall Lake Fire Department for many years also.
In Richard’s younger years, he and Diane attended many dances at the Arcadia Legion Hall. He also enjoyed playing cards with their card club, hunting, and mostly fishing. One of the highlights of Richard’s life was going on his yearly fishing trip to South Dakota to catch walleye with his family and friends. Another highlight was taking all of his kids to Okoboji on the weekends, and teaching them all how to fish. Many fun-filled weekends were spent at Grandpa Olerich’s Cabin. “Gummer” would never turn down a shot of BV on a Saturday night. He also enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events and later on came to many of the grandkids’ events. Richard enjoyed spending time with all of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Diane Olerich of Wall Lake, IA; children: Cheryl Smith and husband Galen of Carroll, IA, David Olerich and fiancé Sherry Magee of LeGrand, IA, Patti Vlasin and her husband Pat of Grant, NE, and Janet Snyder and her husband Danny of Odebolt, IA; Grandchildren: Jesse (Becky) Smith, Kenzie Smith, McKayla (Brandon) Aschinger, Jeni (Matt) Struck, Megan (Bryce) Dooley, and Nick Snyder; Great-Grandchildren: Tyson Smith, Charlie and Emerson Aschinger, Kennedi and Evan Struck, and Parker and Kendal Dooley. Other survivors include brother Roger Olerich, sister Rita Maddux, sister-in-law Lois Olerich, brother and sister-in-law Darrell and Pat Berg and brother-in-law Dennis Berg.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Marie Olerich, brother Raymond Olerich and sister-in-law Marilyn Berg.
