Dorothy J. Oldenburg

Dorothy Jean (Wetchen) Oldenburg, age 99, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Riverside Transitional Care. She was born on March 9, 1925, to Irving and Gertrude (Schlabach) Wetchen, as the oldest of three children. Her family lived in Pine Creek, where Jean attended the Toledo one-room school. After the death of her father, they moved to Hokah, MN. Jean graduated from Houston High School in 1944. Jean worked at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio as a cook. She also worked at Northern Engraving and the La Crosse Garment Manufacturing Company in La Crosse, WI. 

Jean married Arthur Oldenburg (d. 2001) on July 2, 1948. They lived in La Crescent, MN where they raised their five children, Ardith, Duane, Darrel, Dwight, and Darwin. While raising her family, Jean ran the La Crescent Gift Shop from their home for 62 years (closed in 2012), selling sewing notions, children’s toys and clothing, souvenirs, and many other trinkets. Her grandchildren would also set up a lemonade stand outside for customers stopping by. 

Jean was an active member of the La Crescent United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, worked janitorial duties with Art, led the chicken que at Applefest for many years, helped prepare weekly meals for JOLT, and she was a member of the United Methodist Women and several other circles. 

Jean was an avid gardener, growing and canning fruits and vegetables to help feed her family. Her love for flowers was evident from the large flower gardens that lined the sidewalk and property of their home. Jean also loved to bake, making bread every week and cinnamon rolls or coffee cake for breakfast. Her sugar cookies and apple pies became family favorites, with all the grandchildren helping and learning her techniques to teach to their children. Her home was always open to family and friends for a meal or a place to stay. Jean loved being a grandma and was always happy when her grandchildren would come to visit. She would make special pancakes or bake a special treat, play a game, or put on a tea party; it was always fun at Grandma’s house. Her kindness, generosity, and love for her family showed through in everything she did. 

Jean is survived by her 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren: Ardith Lutz, Kim (Kyle) Sweet, Kaelynn, Avianna, and Elouise, Shalynn (Adam) Frank, Liliana, and Zachary; Duane (Donna) Oldenburg; Darrel (Miriam) Oldenburg, Dustin (Marin) Oldenburg, Sawyer and Mae, Jordan (Jessica) Oldenburg, Asher, Kyle (Anna) Oldenburg, Finn, Travis (Lauryn) Oldenburg; Dwight (Marlys) Oldenburg, Jeremy (Ashley) Oldenburg, Juliana and Harper, Kari (Jim) Polena, Mason and Luke; Darwin (Kelli) Oldenburg, Nicholas Oldenburg. 

Preceding her in death were her husband, Art; father, Irving; mother, Gertrude; brother, Irving “Bud” (Jeanne) Wetchen; and sister, Marian (Robert) Shoning. 

The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Bethany Riverside and Gundersen Hospice for the wonderful care they gave her. 

A visitation for Jean will take place at La Crescent United Methodist Church starting at 10:30 am, with a memorial service to follow starting at 11:30 am on January 10, 2025. A lunch will be served at the church after the service. Private family committal services will be held in the Toledo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the following: Gundersen Medical Foundation, Toledo Cemetery, La Crescent Meals on Wheels, or Lunch Wagon Program LUMC.