Full Obituary

     Chris Oelberg, age 69, of Thorp, WI, passed away at home on Friday, May 31, 2024, after a 10-year struggle with multiple cancers and Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.  Born April 9, 1955, in Oak Park, IL, to Henry and Betty (Schultz) Oelberg, Chris grew up in River Grove, IL, graduating from East Leyden High School in 1973.  Chris met his future wife and best friend, Penny, at Leon and Lil’s (Cindy’s) on April 1, 1995; they later married and resided in Thorp.
     Always a hard worker, Chris held many jobs starting at a very young age with a paper route.  After earning his CDL, he began driving truck for his uncle’s company followed by driving for the U. S. Postal Service.  Ultimately, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps as an electrician, being self-employed under C. Oelberg Electric in California.  In 1994, he moved to Thorp and joined the IBEW Local 14 as a journeyman electrician until illness forced his retirement in 2016.
     Chris enjoyed spending time up North at the cabin, relaxing, cooking, 4 wheeling, snowmobiling, boating and tipping a few back; specialty beers were his favorite.  He also enjoyed going to the local bars in Webb Lake and Thorp where he loved great conversations with friends; he was so knowledgeable, you could talk to him about anything, Chris was also a great chef; he loved cooking or grilling for friends and family for holidays or just for fun. Pool, darts, golf, and skeet shooting were great past times for him as well where he was a part of many teams in Thorp and Webb Lake.  He was also a huge Bears and Cubs fan!  “Fly the W!” 
     Above all else, Chris enjoyed being with family and had a very special place in his heart for Walker, helping him in any way that he could and making great memories fixing stuff or just hanging out.
     He will be dearly missed by his wife, Penny (Biddle) of Thorp; his sister, Claudia Schneider of Madison; two sisters-in-law, Linda Biddle of Eau Claire and Candy (Jeff) Meeker of Thorp; his grandson, Walker Larson of Eau Claire; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
     Chris is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Betty (Schultz) Oelberg; his stepmother, Marge (Panek) Oelberg; his sister, Karin Bunn; one brother-in-law, Terry Biddle; his mother-in-law, Marvel Biddle; his father-in-law, Leland Biddle; Penny’s children, Shanda Nusbaum and Trent Nusbaum; and his beloved dog, Sampson.
     Much appreciation to the staff of Mayo Hospital in Rochester and Eau Claire and Mayo Hospice.  And to all of our family and friends, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers and support.
     There will be a remembrance gathering at Cindy’s Hall in Thorp on Friday June 14, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm; honoring Chris at 6:00 pm.