Roy Oldehoeft

Roy A. Oldehoeft, age 82, award winning education and licensed funeral director died on Feb. 8, 2013. Roy, son of Walter and Elsie (nee Riggert) Oldehoeft, was born on October 18, 1930 at Seward, Nebraska. Roy is survived by his wife Barbara, two daughters Staci (Curt) Christensen of Colorado Springs and Kari (Mark) Mandell, two grand children Jack and Morgan Mandell all of Highlands Ranch, three brothers and a sister Wilfred (Ruby) Oldehoeft of Hutchinson, Kansas, Arthur (Margie) Oldehoeft of Ames, Iowa, Rodney Oldehoeft of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Elaine (Robert) Van Valkenburg of Lincoln, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Mildred Ehlrich, and his first wife Mary Jean (nee Beadle). After the untimely and early death of Mary Jean, Roy married Barbara DeBoer. Roy and Barbara celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2011. Roy received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oklahoma A and M and a Masters Degree in Mathematics from The Colorado College. He did additional graduate work at the University of Colorado. In 1959, he became a member of the Colorado Springs community where he taught mathematics and served as mathematics department chairman at West Jr. High and Holmes Jr. High for thirty years. He was a member of the Holmes Jr. High staff in 1984-1985 when the school received the Excellence in Education Award from the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. He served on many school and District 11 committees and was a life member of CEA and NEA and served as treasurer in the original Colorado Springs Teachers Association. In 1987 he was honored with the Outstanding Colorado Teaching Excellence Award as a result of nominations by parents, students, friends, and colleagues. His philosophy in both the education and funeral directing field was evident in his total caring for the success of the students he taught and the welfare of the families he served as funeral director. This all in spite of having to deal with the challenges of health most of his life. Having grown up amidst family and relatives of Lutheran teachers and pastors, his background and experience enabled him to assist in the planting, development, and growth of Rock of Ages Lutheran Church and also serve on the building committee of the present church. During his fifty four year membership at Rock of Ages Roy served in most elective offices. Funeral service will be at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 120 N. 31st St. on Friday Feb. 15, 2013 @11am and interment will be at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, Oklahoma. Visitation will be at Evergreen Funeral Home on Wed. Feb. 13, 2013 from 5-7pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at 3710 Sinton Road, Suite 220, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907. These memorials may also be left with Rock of Ages Lutheran Church.