Henry J. Oechsle, 90, of Fennimore, entered into the Lord’s Kingdom on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing in Fennimore. Henry was born on Sept. 23, 1931, in Boscobel, the son of William and Erika (Zimmerman) Oechsle. He was united in marriage to Margaret L. Bendorf on Dec. 15, 1956, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fennimore.
Henry graduated from Fennimore High School and attended the Farm Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served in the United States Army as a medic during the Korean War. Upon returning home, Henry began his 40-year passion for farming. Henry served on many agricultural, community and church boards, including most recently serving as chaplain of the Whitish-Funk American Legion Post 184. Henry will be forever remembered as a servant leader living his life committed to faith, family and farming.
Henry is survived by his wife, Margaret of Fennimore; three daughters, Debra (Kevin) Kurek of Fond du Lac, Susan (Don) Sims of Monroe, Washington, Rebecca (Reed) Trefz of Stitzer; five grandchildren, Alissa (Patrick) Clancy, Cassandra Kurek, Michael (fiancée Corey Reid) Kurek, Erika Trefz, Tucker Trefz; and great-grandson, Rory Clancy. Henry is further survived by sisters, Bertha Allen, Gertrude (Milton) Staskal, Anne Rowe, Elizabeth (Roger) Lehmann; sisters-in-law, Eldeen Oechsle, Ivanelle Foreman, Mary Bendorf; brother-in-law, Walter (Kaye) Bendorf; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Lewis and Nellie (Wieland) Bendorf; sister, Emma Oechsle; brother, Eugene Oechsle; brothers-in-law, Duane Allen, Burlee Rowe; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Leslie (Eleanor) Bendorf, Lyle (Ruth) Bendorf, Eldon (Geraldine) Bendorf, William (Mildred) Bendorf, Calvin (Ruth) Bendorf, Esther (Robert) McFall, Charles Kirkpatrick, Mel Foreman, Virgil Bendorf; nieces and nephews, Beth Schwenn, Sharon Eikstadt, Susan Rech, David Bendorf, Darrell Bendorf, Mark Lehmann, David Lehmann.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore with Military Honors. Visitation will be held 4-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday morning. All who plan on attending are requested to wear face coverings. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be given to Sugar Creek Bible Camp (13141 Sugar Creek Bible Camp Rd., Ferryville, WI 54628) or to the charity of your choice in loving memory of Henry Oechsle. The Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore is assisting the family.