Erling A. Wheeler Obituary (1927 - 2018)

Erling A. Wheeler, age 90, of Menomonie passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the American Lutheran Home. He was born June 4, 1927 in Viroqua, WI to Blaine and Ann (Larson) Wheeler. At the age of nine months he and his family moved to Barron County to setup the family farm. Erling graduated from Chetek High School in 1945. He married Colleen Anderson on December 18, 1947 in Sand Creek WI. Together they farmed in rural Dallas WI for 12 years. In 1966, Erling and his family moved to Menomonie, WI where he worked as a technician for the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) for the next 25 years. Erling thoroughly enjoyed driving around the countryside pointing out all of the SCS projects he had been instrumental in completing. He had a heck of a handshake and a knack of making a friend wherever he went. Erling rarely missed a local horse pull or an opportunity to cheer on the Brewers or Packers from his favorite chair. He was always quick with a compliment and could make you feel special effortlessly. Needless to say, Erling brightened up the lives of each person he encountered, and never tired of doing so. Erling is survived by his wife of 70 years, Colleen of Menomonie; his daughters, Becky (Kris) Nelson, Chris Wheeler, Lori (Greg) Szymanski and son Scott (Judy) Wheeler. He is also survived by one brother Ronald (Lois) Wheeler and nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Blaine and Ann and brothers Clayton, Winton, Wayne, Gordon, Jerry and sisters Beatrice, Charlotte, Helen and Wanda. A celebration of life for Erling will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 24, 2018 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie WI with Rev. Danny Wheeler officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Creek Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Wilson, Dunn Co. WI at a later date. And lastly, though life can throw us curveballs every once and awhile, Erling would want us all to remember that, ‘It’s never the horse’s fault’. To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com