Dee Ohlrogge

Dee Ohlrogge, 75 of Onalaska passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at the Gundersen Health System. She was born April 30, 1940 in Devils Lake, N.D. to Orel and Doris (Craig) Boyum and graduated from Brocket High School in Brocket, N.D. in 1958. In 1962 she graduated from Concordia College in Morehead, MN with a degree in English and a minor in Music.
Dee began her teaching career in Osseo, MN where she taught English at Osseo Junior High School. In 1962 she met Fred Ohlrogge and they were married on June 13, 1964 in Brooklyn Park, MN. The couple moved to New Richmond, WI where Fred took a Pastoral position and Dee taught English at New Richmond Junior High School. In 1967 the family moved to Marion, WI where they were blessed with two children, David and Kristen. Dee worked part time for CESA and raised their two children. In 1972 Fred accepted a call in La Porte, TX where the family lived until 1975 when they moved to Durand, WI and Dee served as the head of the English Department, taught English, Poetry and Writing and directed the annual play at Durand High School. In 1988 when Fred accepted a call at First Lutheran Church, the family moved to Onalaska and Dee taught Reading and English at Tomah Middle School from 1988 until 1990. From 1990 until her retirement in 2001, she taught Reading at Sparta Middle School. In 1992 Dee received her Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Dee and Fred had wintered in Mesa, AZ since 2002 where she enjoyed silversmithing, taught and attended a monthly Bible Circle Study and served as a board member of WELCA. She had a very strong, deep faith in her risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Dee had a deep love for music of all types and enjoyed attending concerts by the La Crosse and Phoenix Symphonies. She loved to read and typically finished 2-4 books per week. Dee also enjoyed her 4:00 P.M. glass of Chardonnay on the deck with Fred and loved to relax and enjoy the sun. She also enjoyed playing cards, especially duplicate and party bridge; as well as shopping, interior design and decorating, golfing, traveling and experiencing new places and their histories, including, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, the United States West and East Coast and Northern Wisconsin. Dee was a very positive person who always saw the bright side of things. Spending quality time with her four grandchildren was very important to Dee. She was so very proud of and enjoyed talking about them with her friends. She also took great pride in her Scandinavian heritage.
Dee is survived by her husband, Rev. Fred Ohlrogge of Onalaska; two children, David (Lisa) Ohlrogge of Waunakee, WI and Dr. Kristen (Dr. John) Charlson of Wauwatosa, WI; four grandchildren, Kiley and Kendall Ohlrogge, Grace and Katherine Charlson; a sister and brother; Kay (Bob) Bolinger and Dr. Keith (Renae) Boyum both of Irvine, CA; along with three nieces and nephews, Andrew Boyum, Nicole (Mike) Fredericks and Scott (Jennie) Bolinger. She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Rob Bolinger.
Dee’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Doctors and the entire staff of the emergency, critical care and hospice units at Gundersen Health System and the Pastors from First Lutheran Church for their love, support and care.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 16th at First Lutheran Church, 410 Main Street, Onalaska with Rev. Jason Stanton and Rev. Karyn Bodenschatz officiating. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 4-7 P.M. and again on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. A private family burial will take place in Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Seymour, WI at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.