Lou Ann Oelke

Lou Ann Oelke, age 88 of Wausau, died on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

Lou Ann was born on July 18, 1933, to William and Lucille (Hoenisch) Hanke in Wausau, Wisconsin. She married James Herman Oelke on May 17, 1954, and they went on to have four daughters.

LouAnn was an active and enthusiastic volunteer in the community including: Marathon American Legion Auxiliary, St Peter ladies Aide, St Peter’s school, and Bethesda thrift.

LouAnn was also a very talented craft person. knitting, crochetting, sewing, mending and embroidery to name just a few talents.  We kept her busy with requests which she generally obliged. She loved keeping all the littles in her circle warm with heaps of sweaters, hats, blankets, and endless mittens.

Lou Ann and James had a very loving relationship.  James introduced Lou Ann as his bride all 45 years of marriage. It never failed to make her feel loved and beautiful.

Lou Ann joins her parents, her husband James, daughters Jamie Oelke and Carol (Tom) Chack, grandson Michael Chack, sister-in-law Florene (David) Colrud and brothers James “Jim” and William “Bill” (Mary) Hanke in Heaven. She is survived by daughters Janice (Kyle)  Nelson of Wausau and Christine (John) Barrickman of Seattle, Washington as well as her grandchildren: Noah (Lindsey) King, Joshua (Samantha) King, Tyler King and Shanna King all Hatley. Jacob and Ian Barrickman both of Seattle, Washington and Timothy Chack of Salem (Diana), Step Grandchildren Brock Nelson and Kristen Nelson. Lou Ann is also survived by great-grandchildren: Nathaniel and Tanner King of Hatley, Kaden Nelson of Wausau and Carol Chack of Salem.

Funeral Service for Lou Ann Oelke will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 8 at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau with Pastor Kevin Schnake officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Burial will take place at Restlawn Cemetery in Wausau. Casketbearers will be her grandsons: Noah, Joshua, Tyler, Jacob, Timothy and Nathaniel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lou Ann’s family to be designated at a later date.

A special thank you to Lindsey King, Kevin Nelson and the entire staff on the 4th floor at North Central Health Care for your care and compassion of Louann.