Eleanor Ann "Ellie" Olerich

Eleanor Olerich, age 87 of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at her home in Wall Lake. Eleanor Ann Gosch was born on August 6, 1937, one of fourteen children, to parents Alfred and Alyce (Heinrich) Gosch at their home in Schaller, IA. The family moved to a farm near Kiron, IA, and at the age of four, Eleanor attended country school nearby. They later moved to a farm six miles north of Sac City. Eleanor graduated from Sac City High School with the class of 1955. After graduating, she attended St. Joseph Nursing School and went on to work in Fort Dodge for a short time.
On June 3, 1957, Eleanor married the love of her life, Francis Michael Olerich, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA. They purchased their home on Stuart Street in 1961 and were blessed with five children: Jacquie, Mike, Pam, Jennifer, and Jill.
Eleanor worked part-time at St. Anthony's Hospital in Carroll, IA, when Jacquie and Mike were toddlers. In 1974, she started providing childcare in their home where she cared for and loved eight-five children over thirty years. She adored her 'kids' and treated them as if they were her own continuing to stay in touch with several of them throughout the years.
She also made it a point to know everyone's favorite dish or dessert and enjoyed making those items for all. There was always an open seat at her kitchen table and it was often filled by friends who stopped by to visit.
Eleanor showed her love to her children in so many ways while raising them and taught them so many valuable life-lessons. She was an avid reader and sports fan. Eleanor and Francis attended as many events as possible to support their children including after their high school graduations, often making road trips to Omaha, Maryville, Vermillion and Iowa City. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved spending time with her family and friends and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include her children, Jacquie (Ray) Kiefer of Muskegon, MI, Mike (Zena) Olerich of Odebolt, IA, Pam Olerich (Tracey Sheehan) of Noblesville, IN, Jennifer (Brett) Ploessel of Denver, CO, and Jill (Tyson) Fehr of Highlands Ranch, CO; grandchildren: Elizabeth Kiefer, Regina (Blair) Santaspirt, Anna Kiefer, Dani (Sean) McGee, Bayle (Casey) Rodriguez, Morgan Olerich, Lexi (Anthony) Volkert, Jack Ploessel, Michael Ploessel, Jake Fehr, and Kate Fehr; great-grandchildren: Miles, Marley and Mason McGee, Kingsley and Reece Rodriguez, Oliver, Ferguson and Hesston Volkert; siblings: Richard (Sandra) Gosch of Orman by the Sea, FL, Mary (Carl) Snyder of Carroll, IA, John (Sheila) Gosch of Odebolt, IA, Ruth (Mike) Leiker of Hayse, KS, Joan (Jose) Hernandez of Omaha, NE, Jan (Daryl) Mandel of Omaha, NE, Patricia Gosch of Carroll, IA, Mark Gosch of Auburn, IA, and Thersa Hogan of Lubbock, TX; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Olerich; parents Alfred and Alyce Gosch; granddaughter Macy Olerich; brothers Bob, Francis, and Fred Gosch; sister Betty Riesselman; sister-in-law Debbie Gosch; and brother-in-law Vernie Riesselman.