William H. Oehlke, 79, of rural Stewartville, died on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, following a short illness, at his home. William Henry Oehlke was born on Nov. 6, 1937, on the family farm in Washington County, Minnesota, to William and Bessie(Bondenson) Oehlke. He grew up on the family farm and attended District School 25 in Woodbury Township. He attended and graduated from St. Paul Park High School in 1955. That same year, the Oehlke family moved to rural Stewartville, where Bill farmed with his family. He had joined and served with the Marines Reserve before moving to Stewartville, and then enlisted into the U.S. and Minnesota National Guards and served a short stint in the Army. After his discharge in 1961, he returned to Minnesota and continued farming with his family. William was married on May 14, 1966, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, to Ingrid A. Titterington. Following their marriage, the couple moved to the current Oehlke Family farm, where they raised their daughter and have continued to make their home. Bill was a lifelong farmer and also was employed as an over-the-road semi-trailer driver. Ingrid was employed in the nursing profession until her retirement. Bill was a longtime supervisor for the Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District. He was a John Deere tractor enthusiast, enjoyed attending antique tractor shows, following the Vikings, traveling with Ingrid, and was a history buff. Bird watching and his dogs were a big part of his life. He always enjoyed telling or hearing a good story, playing cards, visiting with friends and neighbors and time spent with family. Bill is survived by his wife, Ingrid, and his daughter, Ingrid 'Ingie" Oehlke, both of rural Stewartville; four sisters and five brothers, Roberta Edge of Stewartville, Audrey Pommerening of Woodville, Wis., Herbert (Sarah) Oehlke of Stewartville, Chester (Doris) Oehlke of Stewarville, Lloyd (Meg) Oehlke of Mt. Judea, Ark., Allan (Audrey) Oehlke of Grand Meadow, Beverly (Paul) Bernau of Fountain, JoAnn (Wayne) Wegman of St. Charles, and David (Janice) Oehlke of Brady, Mont.; sister-in-law, Sue Oehlke of Woodville,Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dorothy Grieger, and brother, Dennis Oehlke.  A time of visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. A private family burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston at a later date. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences may be made at griffin-gray.com.