Helen Ruth (Wineland) Oestreich

Helen Ruth (Wineland) Oestreich—Daughter, sibling, preacher’s wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, registered nurse, servant, witness, thoughtful, compassionate, yet stern when appropriate. She was amazing in the way she kept track of all. Helen passed away peacefully at home in La Grange on Saturday, April 2, 2016. Helen was born in Hancock County, Ohio on May 1, 1919, the daughter of Don and Edith (Horner) Wineland. She attended public school and graduated from Hancock County Consolidated School at Van Buren, Ohio in 1937. She completed studies to become a registered nurse at Flower Hospital in Toledo, Ohio in 1940. On June 1, 1943, she married Rev. Clarence Oestreich. His first call was to First American Lutheran Church in Edinburg, Texas. This was a real adventure, living with palm trees, cotton and citrus fruit as opposed to wheat, corn and soybeans. The Oestreich’s later served Christ Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, Gethsemane Lutheran Church in San Antonio and St. Paul Lutheran Church in La Grange where Helen worshiped for 50 years. In his last months, Rev. Oestreich told one of the children, “I sure am glad I married her.” Beside the privilege of serving as a pastor’s wife, she followed her profession (part-time) wherever her husband was called. In La Grange, because of a shortage of nurses, she did some full time work and filled in where there was a need in other capacities, served as the director of nursing, consultant to nursing homes, hospice volunteer, driver for cancer patients to their appointments, and also finding time to teach at Blinn College. After retirement she served on the hospital board. In addition, she participated in church activities, including teaching bible study, playing piano and organ, singing in the church choir and a member of WELCA. Her extensive community activities included volunteering at Second Chance and a member of a quilting group. Helen’s many hobbies included quilting, flower gardening, reading and cooking special meals for family and friends. She is survived by daughter, Janet Shaner and husband, Earl, of Mt. Dora, Fla.; sons: Richard Oestreich and wife, Ann, of Kilgore; Nathan Oestreich and wife, Nami, of San Diego, Calif.; and Philip Oestreich and wife, Helen, of La Grange; nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Eleanor Wineland of Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rev. Clarence Oestreich; brother, Robert Wineland; sister, Freda Rose; and granddaughter, Heidi Oestreich Moore. Visitation was held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. Family received friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 427 S. Washington St. in La Grange, at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016. Burial will follow at La Grange City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 567, La Grange, Texas 78945; Lutheran World Relief, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230; or Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson St., La Grange, Texas 78945. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.