In memory of

Eleanor "Ellie" Ann Olerich

August 6, 1937 - November 3, 2024
From: Wall Lake, IA
Eleanor "Ellie" Ann Olerich

Eleanor "Ellie" Ann Olerich

Born: August 6, 1937
Died: November 3, 2024
Age: 87
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  Eleanor Olerich, age 87 of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at her home in Wall Lake. Eleanor Ann Gosch was born on August 6, 1937, one of fourteen children, to parents Alfred and Alyce (Heinrich) Gosch at their home in Schaller, IA. The family moved to a farm near Kiron, IA, and at the age of four, Eleanor attended country school nearby. They later moved to a farm six miles north of Sac City. Eleanor graduated from Sac City High School with the class of 1955. After graduating, she attended St. Joseph Nursing School and went on to work in Fort Dodge for a short time.

  On June 3, 1957, Eleanor married the love of her life, Francis Michael Olerich, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA. They purchased their home on Stuart Street in 1961 and were blessed with five children: Jacquie, Mike, Pam, Jennifer, and Jill.

  Eleanor worked part-time at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, IA, when Jacquie and Mike were toddlers. In 1974, she started providing childcare in their home where she cared for and loved eight-five children over thirty years. She adored her ‘kids’ and treated them as if they were her own continuing to stay in touch with several of them throughout the years.

  She also made it a point to know everyone’s favorite dish or dessert and enjoyed making those items for all. There was always an open seat at her kitchen table and it was often filled by friends who stopped by to visit.

  Eleanor showed her love to her children in so many ways while raising them and taught them so many valuable life-lessons. She was an avid reader and sports fan. Eleanor and Francis attended as many events as possible to support their children including after their high school graduations, often making road trips to Omaha, Maryville, Vermillion and Iowa City. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved spending time with her family and friends and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

  Survivors include her children, Jacquie (Ray) Kiefer of Muskegon, MI, Mike (Zena) Olerich of Odebolt, IA, Pam Olerich (Tracey Sheehan) of Noblesville, IN, Jennifer (Brett) Ploessel of Denver, CO, and Jill (Tyson) Fehr of Highlands Ranch, CO; grandchildren: Elizabeth Kiefer, Regina (Blair) Santaspirt, Anna Kiefer, Dani (Sean) McGee, Bayle (Casey) Rodriguez, Morgan Olerich, Lexi (Anthony) Volkert, Jack Ploessel, Michael Ploessel, Jake Fehr, and Kate Fehr; great-grandchildren: Miles, Marley and Mason McGee, Kingsley and Reece Rodriguez, Oliver, Ferguson and Hesston Volkert; siblings: Richard (Sandra) Gosch of Orman by the Sea, FL, Mary (Carl) Snyder of Carroll, IA, John (Sheila) Gosch of Odebolt, IA, Ruth (Mike) Leiker of Hayse, KS, Joan (Jose) Hernandez of Omaha, NE, Jan (Daryl) Mandel of Omaha, NE, Patricia Gosch of Carroll, IA, Mark Gosch of Auburn, IA, and Thersa Hogan of Lubbock, TX; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.

  Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Olerich; parents Alfred and Alyce Gosch; granddaughter Macy Olerich; brothers Bob, Francis, and Fred Gosch; sister Betty Riesselman; sister-in-law Debbie Gosch; and brother-in-law Vernie Riesselman.

Tribute Video
SERVICES
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 p.m., Saturday
November 9, 2024
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Wall Lake, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Father Joe Dillinger
Deacon Butch Stone
VISITATION
5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday
November 8, 2024
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Wall Lake, Iowa
*Rosary will begin at 4:30 p.m.
INTERMENT
Wall Lake Cemetery
Wall Lake, Iowa

Condolences

Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 12:45 PM
“Please accept my sympathy in the liss of your Mom. It's a journey, and may your loving memories give you Peace. Sincerely: Janet Schultz.”
- Janet Schultz
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 11:18 AM
“Sorry to hear of Aunt Ellie's passing. Thoughts and Prayers to all. Take Care! God Bless! Fay (Olerich) Walker”
- Fay (Olerich) Walker
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 11:01 AM
“I just received the email of her passing. She was a special woman to so many. God Bless to All.”
- Mark and Shantel Druivenga
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 2:33 PM
“My deepest sympathies. She was a mom and grandma to so many kids nobody will ever forget her.”
- Warren Mooney
Monday, November 11, 2024 at 9:14 AM
“Loved your Mom's smile every time we saw her! My prayers for your family.”
- Nancy Determann Janssen
Monday, November 11, 2024 at 9:14 AM
“Dear Mike, Zina and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Praying that you can feel God's loving arms around you providing loving support Through this difficult time.”
- Jeanene Kuiper
Monday, November 11, 2024 at 9:14 AM
“I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your mom was such an amazing woman,I loved to see her come into my store. We had the most awesome visit and how she talked about her family she beamed and was so proud. I loved your mom and I'm so sad I didn't know she passed. I would have loved to have seen her daughters that visited my store. also. She is definitely a special light shinning down . My deepest sympathy and prayers. 🪽🪽🪽”
- Teresa Drilling
Friday, November 8, 2024 at 2:29 PM
“So very sorry to hear of Eleanor's passing. She was a very kind & lovely woman. We have a family wedding so cannot attend services but I am sending thoughts & prayers to the Olerich family!!!”
- Alison (Koenck) Ehlers
Friday, November 8, 2024 at 8:13 AM
“So many memories and so much love. I will be forever grateful to have been included in so much joy and laughter over the years. Ellie you were a remarkable woman and I was lucky to have known your warmth and love. I will miss you my dear friend. ”
- Lainey Sherard
Friday, November 8, 2024 at 8:13 AM
“I was so sorry to hear of Ellie's passing. She will be truly missed You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time ”
- Iveta Kerber
Friday, November 8, 2024 at 8:13 AM
“Deepest Sympathy to all the family.”
- Mike & K'Lee Naberhaus
Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 9:28 AM
“We are so terribly sorry for your loss Pam and Tracey. We hope love and light surround you, now and always. We wish we could have met your mom Pam. She sounds like an amazing person! Much love. ”
- Robin Robiso
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 4:59 PM
“John and I are honored to have spent time with Ellie . She was lovely as is the amazing family she leaves behind. Sending you all much love. ”
- John and Cindy Garino
Monday, November 4, 2024 at 9:46 PM
“You're one of those Special people that changed my life and my perspective of the world we live in. I loved you Ellie...you knew that. I got to see how much you loved your family and friends. Spending time with them was so important to you. I heard many stories of your babysitting days and how so many would still come back and visit you. You were so Bright in my eyes and now you'll be one of the Brightest in Heaven. I'll miss you!”
- Melody Shepard
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