John Adam Oellerich

John Oellerich, 89, of Burnsville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on May 23, 2025. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, John's soft-spoken, logical, and thoughtful nature touched everyone he met. Born on April 16, 1936, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to John and Katherine Oellerich (Kromm). John grew up with a strong sense of integrity, ethics, and morals, that guided him throughout his life. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965 while working two jobs and fathering 4 children. After moving to Minnesota, a 5th child was added to complete the family. His personal motto: "God first, then family, then hard work, then fun."
He married his beloved wife, Sharon Brandenburg on August 30, 1957. Together, they shared a happy life raising five children. Their life together was filled with adventures and special drives to new places. He loved golfing, fishing, bicycling, restoring antique outboard motors and reading. John's inventive spirit and quiet wisdom earned him deep respect among family and friends.
John is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Burnsville, Minnesota; his children, Laurie (Mike Vork) of Clearwater, Florida, Daniel (Nancy Oellerich) of Aiken, South Carolina, Lisa (Brian Kuznia) of Rosemount, Minnesota, Julianne (Dean Lichty) of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Claudine (John Moon) of Saint Paul, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Erika Winning of Baltimore, Maryland, John (Lauren Kuznia) of Somerset, Wisconsin, Monika Kuznia of Rosemount, Minnesota, Erin (Chase Drill) of Graham, North Carolina, and Kate Oellerich of Aiken, South Carolina; his great-grandchildren, Ruth and Oliver Kuznia; his sister-in-law, Dana (Ray Norville) of Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Katherine Oellerich, his brother Robert Oellerich, brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Dale Van Alstyne, numerous aunts, uncles, two nephews and cousins. John's memory will live on through the love and values he instilled in his family, friends and community.
A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., a reception at noon, with burial at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tom Kromm, Dennis Kromm, Randy VanAlstyne, Jeff Horvath, and John Kuznia and Eric Spieler.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be sent to Wounded Warriors Project or to Grace Church Memorial fund.