Oscar Wehlander Obituary

Oscar Wehlander

Oscar Wehlander, our beloved grandfather, father, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend passed away on March 3, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born on April 20, 1930, in De Lamere, North Dakota. As he grew up, he created many wonderful memories with his five brothers.

Oscar married Marlene Olson in Reno, Nevada, on July 15, 1955. They had two daughters: Kim and Keri. Sadly, Oscar was predeceased by his daughter Kim in 1991, and his wife Marlene in 2021.

Music was always part of Oscar's life. He grew up singing with his father and brothers, and that love of music continued as he became a professional touring musician for a time, and then became part of various barbershop quartets. Oscar sang with The New MexiChords in Albuquerque, and the last quartet he was part of was Brass Rail. He regularly performed in competitions and attended many barbershop conventions. He also loved listening to jazz greats such as Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Louis Armstrong, Stan Kenton, Tony Bennett, and Diana Krall.

Oscar served in the Air Force for four years, which included time in Korea during the war. After attaining a degree in accounting at the University of Nevada in Reno, he worked for the Government Accounting Office and later for the Department of Energy. After more than 30 years of public service, he shifted over to the private sector, working for Sysco.

Oscar loved traveling to new places, and he and Marlene went on several cruises together. He enjoyed reading books about history and watching college football games on television, and he and Marlene attended home games played by the University of New Mexico Lobos to enthusiastically cheer them on.

Our deepest thanks go to Janet and Jim Schipper, Cheryl and Terry Ragan, Janet Paoletti, Jim Law, and Amy Hayward for offering Oscar and Keri so much kindness and support in this very difficult time. Oscar will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6901 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with a graveside service to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Masks will be required during the service: we ask for your cooperation for the sake of family members at high risk for complications from Covid-19. Thank you.

The service will be livestreamed as well. Please find the Zoom link through the online obituary at:

www.frenchfunerals.com/

Should you desire, donations in Oscar's memory may be made to the Youth Jazz Collaborative of New Mexico to help support the love of music for the next generation. This can be done through writing a check to: AAPAC Foundation, 310 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Please indicate on the check that this is for the Youth Jazz Collaborative in memory of Oscar Wehlander.

Please visit our online guestbook for Oscar at:

www.FrenchFunerals.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albuquerque Journal on Aug. 28, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Oscar Wehlander

3 Entries

Steve Tonjes

September 1, 2022

Mr. Wehlander was the true gentleman! From the time I met him through Kim at Eldorado HS, then years later when we both worked at Sysco. He always had a kind word, a quick smile, and his heart felt laugh.
My sympathies to you and your family Keri.
May God Bless and comfort you.
Steve Tonjes

Scott Lasher

August 30, 2022

Oz was a huge inspiration to me! I was blessed to sit right next to him in our Chancel Choir at Faith Lutheran Church for many years. He was always happy to see you. If you were near him for at least a couple minutes,
he would always find a way to make you laugh and put a smile on your face!! Since I joined the Chancel Choir around 2006, Oz always had an awesome singing voice- which helped me 'tune in' to the Tenor notes... In 2010 (give or take a year) Oz, along with Michael Taylor were part of the Barbershop Quartet that showed up at Lowe's (on Paseo) to surprise my wife Marianne by singing a couple songs to her on Valentine's Day!! They were truly wonderful!.. Oz may the Lord in Heaven above rejoice as you have been reunited with the love of your life- Marlene... May God continue to rest your soul...You are, and will continue to be missed.. Scott Lasher

Pat Feery

August 29, 2022

My name is Pat Feery and we were neighbors on Monaco, I remember your address as 3705 or 3709, we lived at 3717. I was also the manager at Pizza Hut on Juan Tabo and Kim was one of my employees. Cindy and I would to extend our deepest condolences to you and may Kim´s, your mom´s and your dad rest in eternal peace.

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