1917
Gail
2005
Gail Oberholtzer
July 10, 1917 — December 1, 2005
Gail Oberholtzer was born on July 10, 1917, in Beardsley, MN, to parents, Oliver Tilden and Emma Ruth (Kay) Oberholtzer. He attended country school in Big Stone County before helping his father with farming.
As a young man, Gail enjoyed to travel and seek new adventures. He decided to ride the freight train from Ortonville, MN, to Montana where he worked in the Copper Mines. Gail's mining experiences didn't end there, as he traveled further north to Alaska where he worked in the gold mines. In his explorations out west, Gail fell in love with the way of the Cowboy. He learned to ride horses and rope cattle. Gail also learned to play the guitar and the harmonica and in later years, enjoyed sharing this passion with his children and grandchildren.
On October 19 of 1956, Gail married Helen Hall in Sisseton, SD. The couple moved to Wheaton, MN where they ran the Gamble Store. In 1962 they moved to Big Stone Lake where they made their home, and where Gail drove truck and farmed for many years. Together, Gail and Helen raised four children. Family was very important to Gail, and treasured the time he spent with his children and grandchildren who happily called him "Grandpa O." While living on Big Stone Lake, Gail could be found working on some sort of contraption for the grandchildren to play on. In the later 1990's Gail and Helen moved to Graceville, MN after his retirement. Gail would tell stories of his life, to his children and grandchildren and no matter how many times they heard it always enjoyed listening. In his spare time, Gail enjoyed reading and would read just about anything he could get his hands on.
Gail passed away on Thursday, December 01, 2005 at the Park River Estate in Coon Rapids, MN, reaching the age of 88 years. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ora Oberholtzer; and four sisters, Samantha Fink, Verle Ferns, Alta Peterson, and Marrian Steffens.
Gail is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Jeff Oberholtzer; Holly Spitzer and special friend, Rick Gustafson; Wanda (Jerry) Berger; and Juneal (Sid )Goltz; nine grandchildren, Sherry Berger; Chad (Kelley) Berger; Stacy (Jeff) Nessett; Scott (Luana) Goltz; Randy (Michelle) Goltz; Travis (Erin) Goltz; Kelsey Spitzer and special friend, Swade Gipson; Crystal Spitzer and special friend, Alan Turner; and Kyle Spitzer; three sisters, Alma Gyokeri, Carroll Fox, and Pearl Issendorf; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
As a young man, Gail enjoyed to travel and seek new adventures. He decided to ride the freight train from Ortonville, MN, to Montana where he worked in the Copper Mines. Gail's mining experiences didn't end there, as he traveled further north to Alaska where he worked in the gold mines. In his explorations out west, Gail fell in love with the way of the Cowboy. He learned to ride horses and rope cattle. Gail also learned to play the guitar and the harmonica and in later years, enjoyed sharing this passion with his children and grandchildren.
On October 19 of 1956, Gail married Helen Hall in Sisseton, SD. The couple moved to Wheaton, MN where they ran the Gamble Store. In 1962 they moved to Big Stone Lake where they made their home, and where Gail drove truck and farmed for many years. Together, Gail and Helen raised four children. Family was very important to Gail, and treasured the time he spent with his children and grandchildren who happily called him "Grandpa O." While living on Big Stone Lake, Gail could be found working on some sort of contraption for the grandchildren to play on. In the later 1990's Gail and Helen moved to Graceville, MN after his retirement. Gail would tell stories of his life, to his children and grandchildren and no matter how many times they heard it always enjoyed listening. In his spare time, Gail enjoyed reading and would read just about anything he could get his hands on.
Gail passed away on Thursday, December 01, 2005 at the Park River Estate in Coon Rapids, MN, reaching the age of 88 years. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ora Oberholtzer; and four sisters, Samantha Fink, Verle Ferns, Alta Peterson, and Marrian Steffens.
Gail is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Jeff Oberholtzer; Holly Spitzer and special friend, Rick Gustafson; Wanda (Jerry) Berger; and Juneal (Sid )Goltz; nine grandchildren, Sherry Berger; Chad (Kelley) Berger; Stacy (Jeff) Nessett; Scott (Luana) Goltz; Randy (Michelle) Goltz; Travis (Erin) Goltz; Kelsey Spitzer and special friend, Swade Gipson; Crystal Spitzer and special friend, Alan Turner; and Kyle Spitzer; three sisters, Alma Gyokeri, Carroll Fox, and Pearl Issendorf; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.