Janet Ruby Grell was born July 12, 1933, to James Orville and Irma Meyer Grell. She entered God’s care and united with Earl on July 30, 2024. She passed quietly at Ridgecrest where she lived her final four months. Janet graduated Central High School in 1952 and married the love of her life, Earl Oelerich, on June 28, 1952. They have six children, Rick (Diane) Oelerich of Davenport, Julie (Mike) Clark of Jesup, Vicki (Gregory) Angove of Cedar Falls, Sherri (David) Siena of Burnsville, N.C., Michael (Francisca) Oelerich of Lebanon, Ohio, Mark (Patricia) Oelerich of Harlingen, Texas. Thirteen grandchildren, James and Jon (Jacque) Oelerich, Melissa (Tim) Kane, BJ (fiancée Sarah Faust) Collins, Brandon (Stephanie) Brown, Nicole (Tonya) Watters, Amanda (Josh) Jackson, Jonathan (Megan) Watters, David Oelerich, Hans Oelerich, Jeffrey (Rachel) Oelerich, Scott Oelerich and Katherine Oelerich. Two step-grandchildren, Justin (Haley) Clark and Jenna Clark. Seventeen great-grandchildren, Jordan Oelerich, Alexis (Jake) Zuck, Brandon Kane, Trevor Kane, Ellianna Brown, Kennedy, Bode and Piper Collins, Alex, Emma, Austin, and Isabel Erlandson, Charles Watters, Jackson, Killian and Espen Watters, and Nicholas Oelerich. Ten step-great-grandchildren, Anthony Natarelli, Olivia, Larissa, and Keaton Nelson-Moser, Matthew, Anna and Lucy Clark, Izzy, Maci and Jack McGovern. Two great-great-grandchildren, Oliver and Bennett Zuck. Janet has two brothers, Jerry (Roma) Grell, deceased, and Gus (Jill, deceased) Grell of Sun City West, Ariz. Two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann (James) Mente, deceased, and Shirley (Jack, deceased) Morrow of DeWitt.
Janet raised their six kids, worked the farm, then at Oelerich and Associates with Earl. She was an avid bridge player a great cook and baker, a member and treasurer of #217 Elks Does. She gave much of her time to local charitable causes, such as Empowering Abilities, Eldridge Moonlight Chase, Elks and many more.
There was a private family gathering at Runge’s. A joint celebration of Earl and Janet’s lives will be held at the Elks Club, small plate luncheon from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 20, 4400 W. Central Park, Davenport. Memorials can be directed to Elks Club or Empowering Abilities. Please send memorials and condolences to Rick Oelerich, 1933 E 50th Court, Davenport, IA 52807.
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