Jurgen Oeding

JURGEN HENRY OEDING was born on November 21, 1913 to Carl and Dorothea (Peterson) Oeding in Rock County near Beaver Creek, Minnesota. He was raised on the farm and attended District 57 country school through the eighth grade at a school house located a mile from the family’s homestead. Following his education, he continued to work with his Dad and also helped several other area farmers with farm work. He was baptized on June 14, 1931 and a week later made a confirmation of his faith on June 21, 1931. On February 12, 1941 Jurgen was united in marriage to Anna Fick at St. John Lutheran Church near Boyden, Iowa. Following their marriage, the couple lived and farmed near Jasper, Ash Creek, and Luverne, Minnesota. In 1951 they purchased a farm west of Luverne, Minnesota. The couple sold their farm in 1968 and moved into Luverne. They remained active through custodial work for St. John Lutheran Church, delivering meals on wheels, and volunteered to lead devotions 20 years for the residents at Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home. Jurgen also enjoyed doing carpentry work during his retirement years. In April of 2006, his wife became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home. Jurgen joined her at the Home in September of 2009. Anna, his wife of 69 years, preceded him in death on January 25, 2011. On February 3, 2015 Jurgen died peacefully, with the comfort of his daughter holding his hand, at the age of 101 years, 2 months and 12 days.

Jurgen was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. Church and his faith was the center of his life. He served on various church boards. He enjoyed the game of dart ball and played on the men’s church league. His hobbies included flower and vegetable gardening, wood working, and construction projects.

Jurgen is lovingly remembered by his daughter Mary (Eugene) Scheffert of Janesville, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Julie (Jeff) Knollenberg, Jay (Laurie) Beyer-Kropuenske, Peter (Donna) Scheffert, Steve (Kim Balfe) Scheffert, Sandra (Fred) Troendle, Wenda (Jeff) Taxdahl, Nancy Scheffert, and Grant (Sarah) Scheffert; 18 great grandchildren; one great-granddaughter-in-law from Germany; and 20 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; great-grandson, Matthew Scheffert; and his siblings, Malinda Fick and Walter Oeding.