Harold Oelschlaeger

Harold D. Oelschlaeger, 85, passed away in Overbrook, KS, on December 27, 2010. He was born on January 3, 1925 in Abilene, KS to Fred and Georgia Weber Oelschlaeger. He was raised and attended school in rural Dickinson County, graduating from Manhattan High School in 1943. After returning from service in WWII, he entered Kansas State University, graduating in 1948. He continued to Washburn Law School, graduating in 1949.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1943, and served with the 84th Infantry Division "Railsplitters" in Europe during the Battle of Germany and the subsequent Occupation of Germany. He was twice wounded and earned the Purple Heart, as well as the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star. He was Honorably Discharged in February 1946 as Private First Class.

In June of 1948, he married Jane Hilderbrand of Everest, KS in the Christian Church of Everest. They were in their sixty-third year together at the time of his death.

After law school graduation, Mr. Oelschlaeger began private practice of the law in Plainville, KS. During his time there, he served as city attorney, and was elected and served as Rooks County Attorney from 1964-1972. He was very active in church and community affairs, acting as President of the local Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce chapters, as well as being a deacon in the First Christian Church of Plainville. He returned to Topeka in 1972 as a staff attorney for the Kansas State Board of Tax Appeals, and served later as a Court Administrator for the Shawnee County Juvenile Court. He is a Member of the Kansas Bar Association, and was admitted to practice in District Court and before the Kansas Supreme Court.

He was a life member of VFW Post 1650, American Legion Post 400, Disabled American Veterans, and the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. As a member of the Kaw Valley Bicycle Club, he completed many yearly "Bike Across Kansas" events well into his senior years.

Mr. Oelschlaeger is survived by his wife, Jane, two sons, Roger and Alan, and four grandchildren, Brittany, Casey, Hallie, and Shelby. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Max Oelschlaeger, and his two sisters, Verlene Oelschlaeger Beisch and Betty Oelschlaeger Barry.

A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at the Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Medical Center, 2200 SW Gage, Topeka, KS.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502 or the Washburn University School of Law, 1700 College Ave, Topeka, KS 66621.