Arthur H Ollrich

Arthur Henry Ollrich, age 81, of Mankato died Saturday, June 30, 2007 at the Mankato Lutheran Home.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 5, 2007 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato with Rev. Paul Meierding and Rev. Eugene Glade officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be from 9:30 " 11 a.m. on Thursday at church. Memorials may be given to Drake University, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, or Mankato Lutheran Home. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Arthur was born in Whiting, Indiana on August 12, 1925 to August and Amelia (Hamann) Ollrich. Art served his country during World War II with the U.S. Naval Submarine service in the Pacific Theatre on the U.S.S. Cavalla. On April 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Teddy Jean Erickson. He graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, IA with a B.S. and an M.S. degree in Education and Counseling. In 1981, during Drake's Centennial celebration, Art and two of his brothers were honored as outstanding athletes. Again in 2006 he and his two brothers were among the honorees at the 125th anniversary of the Drake University basketball program.
Art was a teacher in Ellsworth, IA and Hutchinson, MN high schools, as well as a coach of both basketball and baseball. In 1966 he came to Mankato State University where he coached basketball and taught in the physical education department. Art was also the Director of Intramurals. Having an enthusiasm for fishing, Art founded the MSU Fishing Institute, which he directed until his retirement in 1985.

Art was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, numerous educational organizations, as well as other organizations concerning outdoor sporting activities. In retirement he would look forward to spending the summers at his cottage on Turtle River Lake. Art also enjoyed his winter fishing trips to Mexico. His grandchildren, Nicklaus, Timothy, Aaron, Alexander, and Emily were the lights of his life.

Art is survived by his wife, Teddy Jean of Mankato; his children and their spouses, Tamra and Jerris Van Roekel of Berthoud, CO, Heidi Ollrich of New York City, NY, and August and Susan Ollrich of Fertile, MN; five grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Eugene and Avonelle Ollrich of Arroyo Grande, CA. Art had a positive influence on his nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly, as did all his family and friends.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Carol Lorenz; two brothers, Alfred and August "Gus" Ollrich.