Carl F. Oelfke, age 86, of Holmen died Friday, November 29, 2024, in Gundersen Hospital, La Crosse, after a brief illness.  He was born in Saginaw, Michigan November 1, 1938, to Carl William and Sophia (Jungnitsch) Oelfke.  He married Mary (Wuttke) on August 9, 1958, in La Crosse, WI.

As was the family tradition of service, Carl served in the Army stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.  Upon completion of his service, he worked briefly for Allis Chalmers, then went to work for the US Postal Service in La Crosse for over 41 years until his retirement, first as a letter carrier and then as the fleet mechanic and safety instructor.  For several years, he worked a second job at Collins La Crosse Sign Company after his day at the post office.

In 1972 Carl and Mary moved their family to the farm in Holmen which was a great place to raise their 10 children.  There, his passion for farming became a reality.  Carl raised primarily beef cows, Mary’s chickens, several horses, and at times had pigs, ducks, pheasants, rabbits, and a goat.  He grew corn and hay on neighboring farms.  His work ethic was second to none.  After his full-time job, he’d come home and work on the farm until late in the evening.  It never worked, but the older kids tried to scatter prior to 10 pm on the hot summer nights before dad said, “well, let’s go unload the hay”.

Carl loved his grandchildren immensely and had a special way of making them all feel welcome when they would visit.  When holidays came, he always joked he was going to find somewhere to go, because everyone, and I mean everyone, gathered at the farm.

He never forgot a birthday and sent a card to each of his children and grandchildren every year, never missing one.   The incredible thing was each cards’ verse fit each child as if he wrote it himself.  He had friends everywhere he went, could frequently be found at Mr. D’s, King Street Kitchen, or Lunch Encounter, and tried every month to meet for breakfast with fellow post office retirees.

He enjoyed collecting toy tractors, especially those of “the right color” – Massey Ferguson Red – and grew to have quite a collection.  Working on cars from an early age, Dad was a great mechanic, fixing all his kids’ cars up until computers made it too complicated.  When we would go somewhere as a family, mom would have us all ready (remember, there were 10 of us), but, where’s dad?  He was out checking the oil on the car!  Every time.  He also loved watching NASCAR races on TV, and if you happened to stop to talk with him then, you’d have to repeat yourself because he was listening to the race.

Dad was stubborn as heck, as every one of his children will attest to.  He never asked for help and up until his illness, could be found behind the barn cutting, splitting, and hauling wood for the furnace, mowing the yard, getting the brush hog out onto the pastures, or tinkering with the tractor or something else in the garage.

His wit, sarcasm, and love for the farm and his children will be deeply missed.  To know him, was to love him and we have so many, many fond memories.

Carl was preceded in death by Mary, his wife of 54 years, sisters Joan Bettis, Susie Willson, Lori Oelfke, and brothers Mike and Joe.  He is survived by sisters Mary (Norm) Hausler, Kathy (Gary) Balster, and brother Ted (Linda) Oelfke, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is further survived by his 10 children, 25 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.

David (Jolyn) Oelfke; Jill (Ron) Lorenz, their children Tim (Amayrani), Kaitlin, Jennifer (Kevin) Lakey, and great granddaughter Lucy; Nancy Iverson, children Ben Rivas, Travis Iverson, Josh and Brianna Evans; Randy Oelfke, children Connor and Lucas; Ron (Alissa) Oelfke, children Ryan, Alison (Dan) Nichols, and great granddaughter Charlotte; Terry (Jackie) Oelfke, children Kiara Kiesow, great granddaughters Kayliah Kiesow and Sunshine Oelfke, Alex and great grandchildren Riley, Landyn, Lyona, Lyvi; Kyle (Kala) and great grandchildren Aaden, Gracie, Jaiven, Piper, Bentley; Sara (fiance’ Jayson Paisley), great grandson Carsyn; Cale, great grandchildren Brooklyn and Brayden; Megan Erickson; Mark (Mary) Oelfke, children Peyton and Lilah; Jamie Oelfke, children Christopher and great grandsons Cody and Chase, Alesha, and Hailey; Jason (Jaime) Oelfke, children Madyson and Colton; Heidi Oelfke, children Lane and Ashton.

Special thank you to Erik, RN in ICU at Gundersen for his excellent care and concern.  We can’t thank you enough for all you did. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. at The Gathering Place, Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, with prayer service at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch.