December 19, 1936 – March 30, 2026
Diane Mary (Berg) Olerich, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, at the age of 89. She was born on December 19, 1936, in Carroll, IA, to parents Frank and Clara (Petersohn) Berg.
Diane was raised in Arcadia, IA, where she attended St. John’s Catholic School through eighth grade and then went to the public school where she later graduated with the Class of 1954. She was baptized, received her First Communion, and was confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia—a faith that remained central to her life.
On April 18, 1959, Diane was united in marriage to the love of her life, Richard Olerich, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia. They made their home in Wall Lake their entire adult lives. Together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage before Richard’s passing. Their union was blessed with four children: Cheryl, David, Patti, and Janet.
In her early years, Diane helped her father on the family farm during harvest, driving tractor, and cared for animals on the farm. After marriage, she dedicated her life to caring for others—babysitting for many families in Wall Lake and later working as a cook at Wall Lake Elementary School until retirement. She was involved in her church community, assisting with devotions and services at the nursing home for many years and participating in the Ladies Guild at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
She enjoyed time with friends through card club and loved going to dances. Diane also treasured family trips to Grandpa Leonard Olerich’s cabin in Okoboji, where the family spent time fishing and making lasting memories.
Diane found her greatest joy in her home and family. She loved cooking and caring for those around her—whether it was Sunday breakfasts after church, preparing fish Richard brought home, baking cookies for her grandchildren to take back to college, or making her well-loved potato salad that was always requested at family gatherings. Her home was a place of warmth, comfort, and love, always open to anyone who wished to stop by, share a cup of coffee, and enjoy good company.
Diane is survived by her children: Cheryl (Galen) Smith of Carroll, IA; David (Mary Lindner) Olerich of Wall Lake, IA; Patti (Pat) Vlasin of Wall Lake, IA; and Janet (Danny) Snyder of Odebolt, IA.
Grandchildren: Jesse (Becky) Smith, Kenzie Smith, McKayla (Brandon) Aschinger, Jeni (Matt) Struck, Megan (Bryce) Dooley, and Nick (Sonnie) Snyder. Great-grandchildren: Tyson Smith; Charlie, Emerson, and Brooks Aschinger; Kennedi and Evan Struck; and Parker, Kendal, and Baker Dooley.
Other survivors include brother and sister-in-law Darrell and Pat Berg; brother-in-law Roger Olerich; and sisters-in-law Rita Maddux and Lois Olerich.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard; her parents, Frank and Clara Berg; father and mother-in-law Leonard and Marie Olerich, brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Marilyn Berg; brother-in-law, Raymond Olerich; and nephew, Doug Berg.
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