Elmo H. “Moe” Oestreich

Elmo H. “Moe” Oestreich

January 15, 1933 – November 24, 2018

Age 85 years.  Born in Salisbury, Missouri, Moe was the youngest of three children born to Edward and Hattie Oestreich.  Moe’s love for music shaped his entire life—he began his singing career at the age of five, singing “Silent Night” at church.  In Junior High School and High School, Moe excelled in softball, baseball, track, and basketball and attended college on a basketball scholarship.

Moe joined the U. S. Army and spent seventeen months in Korea.  He returned to Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University) and graduated with a master’s degree in Music.  For the next three years, Moe taught band and vocal music and participated in eleven musicals with the St. Louis Municipal Opera.  In 1960 Moe moved to New York City and began an eight-year career in show business, performing in several on/off Broadway musicals and touring the country with various performers, shows, and choirs.

Eventually Moe settled in Omaha, devoting himself to a 46-year marriage to his beloved wife, Marlys, and a successful career in medical supply sales. He continued singing—in the church choir and for weddings and funerals.  He loved participating in year-round sports club teams/leagues, tending to the home garden and orchard, pheasant hunting with his Weimaraner pups, the annual backyard swimming parties, and attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting activities.

Moe was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor Bliefnick; brother, Eugene Oestreich.  Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Marlys; stepson, Corey Friesen (Andrea) of Seattle, WA; daughter, Kara Lukan (Scott) of Adel, Iowa; grandchildren: Abby, Sophie, Levi, and Landon.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, December 1^st at 1pm at the West Center Chapel; military honors provided by American Legion Post #1.