Louis L. Olerich, age 87 of Lake View, IA, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View. Louis Lawrence Olerich was born on January 20, 1936, to Clarence and Veronica (Janning) Olerich in Mount Carmel, IA. He was baptized on January 24, 1936, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and received his first Holy Communion on May 12, 1946, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. He was raised in rural Lake View, attending Lake View Schools until he stayed home to help on his parent’s family farm. Louis confirmed his Catholic faith as a youth.
Louis was married and had four children: James, Lauri, Bonnie, and Anthony. He later divorced but would re-marry and help raise four additional children, 3 boys and a daughter, Karen.
Louis’ work ethic would show throughout his life in his time at Rabe’s grain and livestock farm and later at the tile plant in Lake View. His children recall many hours helping their father with farm chores as he tried to instill in them the value of doing a job well.
Besides work, Louis was known to have fun and relax whether it was taking the kids fishing, going bowling, gardening, or hunting in the winter. After retiring, Louis would enjoy playing cards, taking an occasional trip to the casino, or visiting with friends over a cup of coffee at Tjaden’s Cafe.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents; son James; brother Larry; sister Loretta Carnes; brother-in-law Gary Smith; and great-grandson Konner Joslin.
Those left to cherish Louis’ memory are his children: Lauri (Lydell) Schoenfeld of Schleswig, IA, Bonnie Barron of Lake View, IA, Karen (Ken) Davis of Hartley, IA, and Anthony “Tony” Olerich of Clarkston, WA; siblings: Robert (Glenda) Olerich of West Des Moines, IA, LeRoy (Donna) Olerich of Lake View, IA, Nora (Elroy “Griz”) Panbecker of Pocahontas, IA, and Marcella Smith of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Kyndra (Chris) Joslin, Lindsay (Darin) Jacobs, Zachary Barron, Brittany (J.P.) Barron, Nicholas Barron, Jeff Olerich, A.J. Olerich, Jordan Olerich, Troy Werkmeister, A.J. Huebner, Kelsey (David) Ledbetter, Adam Schoenfeld, and Spencer Schoenfeld (Dani); great-grandchildren: Brock, Alexia, Madison, Camden, Parker, Jaron, Brennan, Aspen, Jackson, Hayden, Colt, Ryker, Vesper, Landon, Wyatt, Louis, Bonnie, Kieland, Ian, Owen, and Aubri; great-great grandchildren Everleigh and Emery; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.