George L. Oehrlein
February 12, 1935 - July 18, 2026
Obituary
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George's Livestream Service will be held at 11 a.m. CT on Monday, August 10, 2026. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on "Watch Now."
SUN PRAIRIE - George Leslie Oehrlein, age 91, of Madison, formerly of Sun Prairie, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 18, 2026. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, he leaves behind a legacy of love, faith and service to others.
George was the first of four sons, born on February 12, 1935, to Robert Oehrlein and Dorothy (Cox) Oehrlein. He graduated from Sun Prairie Public High School in 1953.
In October of 1954 George married his high school sweetheart, Marian (Hildebrandt) Oehrlein, (deceased January 12, 2004). Their marriage was blessed with the birth of daughters, Deborah (Mrs. Ronald Leonard) and Carla (Mrs. Jonathan Henkes); five grandchildren, Seth, Justin, Tyler, (Leonard) Matthew and Zoe (Henkes); and great-grandchildren. God blessed George again when he married Kathleen “Kathy” Mueller in February of 2005. His family expanded to daughters, Karin (Mrs. Joshua Carl) and Lisa Erdman; and grandchildren, David, Beth, Dan and Zeke Carl, and Gloria Erdman. He will be missed by sisters-in-law, Susan and Karen Oehrlein; nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Bruce, John and James Oehrlein.
George served in the U.S. Navy Hospital (USNH) Corps for 22 years, from 1954 through 1976. He was stationed at USNH Memphis, Tenn.; Naval Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico; two tours of duty with Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Naval Air Station, Oceana, Va.; USNH, Great Lakes, Ill.; 9th Naval District Headquarters, Great Lakes, Ill.; National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.; Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity (NOSTRA), Williamsburg, Va.; and NOSTRA at Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Va.. His service specialty was opticianry production, processing and teaching at the opticianry school. He also served at U.S. Naval Station, Newport, R.I., and aboard the US McCloy, DEI 038 as Senior Medical Representative. ln addition to attending several service schools, he gained an Associate degree in Business Management from St. Leo College of Florida in 1975.
Upon completion of his military career, George worked at Milwaukee Optical Service, Madison Optical Service and Baldwin Eye Care. In 1985 he opened George's Optical Dispensary, Sun Prairie, Wis. He sold the business to Dr. Richard Wright in 2004, and worked for Dr. Wright until his retirement in 2008.
George enjoyed playing a good game of golf, ushering at Gaither Family Festivals, singing in the Sun Prairie Community choir, and serving on the Sun Prairie Cemetery Association board for over 20 years. He was a member of the American Board of Optometry, American Legion, and the VFW.
Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. George strived to grow in his personal walk with God throughout his life as he focused on Bible studies and prayer. He prayed for the Christian walk of his wife, daughters, their families and future generations to grow in their relationship with God. He regularly attended chapel and church services since his mid-20s.
In 2009, George became a member of Door Creek Church, Madison, Wis., serving as a facilitator in the Grief Share series, a Care Giver (Stephen Minister), a marriage mentor, a member of the prayer team, co-leader of a men's study group, and he especially enjoyed the role of greeting. He and his family have hosted Life Groups in their home along with regularly welcoming family, friends, missionaries and international students.
George will be remembered for his love for God, being a faithful husband, his dedication to family, compassion for people, actively encouraging others, desiring to constantly learn, building his own his golf clubs, enjoying the of adventures in traveling, and finding humor and goodness in all of life. With a smile and twinkle in his eye, he would say "I just happen to have a (gospel) song for you."
A memorial service will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURH, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, with fellowship and lunch to follow. Burial will take place at Sun Prairie Cemetery at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
Memorials may be made in George's name to the Grateful & Faithful Fund, Door Creek Church, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, WI 53718. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420