John Julius Oldenburg

John Julius Oldenburg was born on the family farm near Odin, MN, on February 3, 1921 the son of Henry and Margaret (Gardner) Oldenburg. At the age of 11 he moved to the farm near Butterfield. He went to Country School District 12 and 33. After the eighth grade he worked on the farm with his parents and brother Milton. John would always say he milked cows since he was 5 years old. John looked forward to his short trips away up north and to the State Fair due to his milking. He worked the farm for more than 65 years. He was married to Gladys Laingen for 40 years prior to her death and recently celebrated 29 years of married to Mary Lou Winkelman. John and Mary Lou worked together to keep their farm yard and garden up. John loved horses, especially Kimanchee, which he rode and showed in Western Pleasure events and won many trophies, his last horse was Strawberry, a Shetland Pony. John served as secretary for District 33 School Board, was a member of the St. James Saddle Club and later the Odin Saddle Club, was a 4H leader, and loved to dance; square dance, old time, big band dancing with each of his wives. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Several of John's favorite stories were from his honeymoon to Mary Lou when he experienced his first airplane trip, trip on a ship to the Caribbean and saw the mountains in Venezuela for the first time and of the trip 25 years ago when they spent 3 weeks camping all around Europe. In 2001 they also enjoyed their trip to Ireland where John learned about his namesake grandfather and where his family came from. John Oldenburg passed away on October 23, 2016 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James. John is survived by his wife Mary Lou Oldenburg of St. James, children; Jean Boeck of St. James, Mark (Sandie) Oldenburg of St. James, Terry Oldenburg of Ft. Collins, CO, step-children; Nathan (Deb) Winkelman of Sartell, MN, Wayne (Jennifer) Winkelman of Beijing, China, Natalie Nelson of Mahtomedi, MN, Warren (Deborah) Winkelman of Northfield, MN, Gwen (Todd) Washburn of Grand Rapid, MN, 21 grandchildren; Adam Oldenburg, Abby (John) Flynn, Troy Wascher, Lance Wascher, Justin Wascher, Matt Oldenburg, Sara Oldenburg, Victoria (Patrick) McGawley, Shane (Callie) Nelson, Shenoa (Eric) Zierden, Kailen Nelson, Kira (Travis) Peterson, Ashley Nelson, Katie Winkelman, Evan Winkelman, Carlynn Winkelman, Jordan Winkelman, Greta Winkelman, Ethan Washburn, Alex Washburn, Seth Washburn, 12 great-grandchildren: Morgan, Andy, Brittney, Katelyn, Devin, Chloe, Rocco, Charlie Rose, Ella, Levi, Nash, Sydney 5 great-great-grandchildren: Liam, Bentley, Kylie, Camden, Rosalyna, brother/sisters in law; Fred (Myrna) Hammer, Frank (Linda) Hammer, Doug (Missy) Hammer and Verona (Gerald) Kruse, Paul (Shirley) Laingen. He is preceded in death by his first wife Gladys, parents, step-son Vance Winkelman and brother Milton (Margaret) Oldenburg. Visitation 1 9:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, November 5, 2016 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, November 5, 2016 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Zion Lutheran Cemetery -Odin West of Odin Odin, Minnesota, United States 56160 fellowship Please join the family for lunch and fellowship at the church after the service.