Fred Reed Oehlerking

Fred Oehlerking, 63, of rural Earlham, IA passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines after undergoing open heart surgery.

Fred was born in Sioux City, IA to Arnold and Marie Oehlerking. The youngest of 9 children, he grew up on a dairy farm where he learned his work ethic and self-discipline at a young age. Fred graduated from Sioux City North High School in 1976. He earned his bachelor of science degree (animal science) from Iowa State University in Ames where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta – Iota Chapter Fraternity.

Fred worked as a manager and consultant in the meat packing industry. He and wife Jacqueline owned and managed rental properties in Des Moines and surrounding areas. Fred also had several successful business ventures. He effortlessly juggled many projects and thrived on staying busy and involved. He often joked that he couldn’t wait to leave the farm after high school graduation, but he started buying farmland and eventually returned to rural living. His cow/calf herds, the outdoors, and his farming operations brought him much joy. His yellow lab, Buck, was always by his side and his poodle, Maxie, rode along with him on his John Deere gator.

Fred lit up a room. If you needed a friend, a laugh, a helping hand, a kind heart, he was it. He made everyone who crossed his path feel welcome and at ease. Fred was exceptionally talented, curious, skilled, yet humble and kind. He wanted to see people be their best and if you were willing to put in the work, he’d help you get there. He had a ready smile, a twinkle in his eye, and was usually wearing his signature bib overalls.

Fred and his wife, Jacqueline, were middle-aged newlyweds. They were both overjoyed at finding one another and for the deep love they shared. Each brought out the best in the other and they shared 21 beautiful years together. They enjoyed traveling, visiting the national parks, and spending time at their Nashville, TN home, intending to spend their first full winter there this year.

Fred enjoyed meeting new people, helping others, learning new things, tractors, cows, family and friends, his dogs, live music, and a good joke. Fred was blessed with 63 years of life and he squeezed every bit of living out of it!

Fred had two children from a previous marriage, Austin (Chelsey) Oehlerking and Renee Oehlerking, a step-son, Drew (Emily) Wilson, and his one and only grandchild, Rowan Oehlerking, all whom he loved so very much.

In addition to his children and grandson, Fred is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline; mother-in-law, Donna Pratt; siblings, Virginia Lynns, George (Suzanne) Oehlerking, and Eric (Lauri) Oehlerking; brothers-in-law, Bob Swanson and Jeffrey Pratt; sisters-in-law, Brenda Oehlerking and Gloria Zook; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Karl J. Oehlerking, Steven Oehlerking, Kathleen Thompson, Mary Swanson, and Ray Oehlerking; his parents, Arnold and Marie Oehlerking, and his father-in-law, Harlan Pratt.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be donated to charities that were close to Fred’s heart.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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