Andrew Krieg "Andy" Obermueller

1976 - 2024

Andrew Krieg "Andy" Obermueller

May 15, 1976 - July 22, 2024

Salina, Kansas - Andrew Krieg "Andy" Obermueller, 48, passed away at his home in Salina on July 22. He was born in Salina on May 15, 1976, to Gary and Diann Davis Obermueller. He graduated high school in Liberal, KS, in 1994. Andy graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas in 1998. While at KU, he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

His journalistic career took him from Colorado Springs to the Newark (NJ) Star Ledger (where he was working on September 11, 2001), to Junction City, KS, to Bentonville, AR. His keen understanding of economic trends and influences combined with his ability to write clearly and concisely won accolades from editors and readers.

Andy married Karen Knox in 2003 in New York City's Central Park. His sister Kate performed the service. They had one daughter and later divorced.

In 2010, Andy married Jennifer Krentz, a Lutheran minister whose posts took them to West Virginia, Texas, and Idaho. They were divorced in 2022.

Andy had Type One Diabetes and was undergoing dialysis for the last two years. A long-awaited kidney/pancreas transplant was performed on May 19. He was looking forward to working again and constantly outlined business ventures and book ideas. Despite the success of the transplant, he developed an infection and was undergoing treatment when he passed away in his sleep.

Andy is survived by his daughter, Laurel Obermueller, Boston, a rising junior at Vassar College, of whom he was most proud; his mother and step-father, Diann and Jeff Hurt, Olathe: sister Sally Berry (Kipper) of Dayton, Ohio; sister Kate Unruh (Kyle) of Olathe; sister-in-law Noel Coalson, Salina; nieces and nephews, Madison and Spencer Berry, Piper and Beckett Unruh, Eternity and Ma'Kiah Russell; mother-in-law, Deb Goodrich, Oakley.

Andy was preceded in death by his father, Gary Obermueller; his grandparents Milfred and Bernice Krieg Obermueller, Lincoln, KS, and Mary Patricia "Pat" and Delton E. "Dave" Davis, Olathe; friend and mentor, Tom Eblen, Lawrence, KS.

Andy was confirmed into the Lutheran faith as a child with the verse, "Get Wisdom." As a journalist and in his personal life, he pursued truth and wisdom every day. He will be laid to rest next to his father in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lincoln, KS, on Sunday, July 28, in a private ceremony. Andy will be remembered for his irreverent sense of humor and wicked wit. He is probably seated in Heaven this very moment, going over the gospels with a red pen. This obituary would be so much better if he had written it.

Memorials may be made to Blessings in a Backpack in care of Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455. Andy would also be most grateful if you would register as an organ donor. The final days of his life, though challenging, were not spent with diabetes because of the priceless gift from another human being, another family. Condolences can be left at hallchapel.com.