Andrea Jane Oelkers

Andrea was born on June 3, 1974, to Roger and Nancy (Braithwaite) Oelkers, their second child of three and only daughter. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dexter, Minnesota, in July of 1974. She attended grade school in Brownsdale, Minnesota, and then graduated from Hayfield High School in 1992. While attending Hayfield High School, Andrea was a cheerleader for football and wrestling. Throughout her life, Andrea was a good worker with her first job babysitting for friends. With the money she earned, she used to take baton lessons, which helped her to become a cheerleader. While still in high school, Andrea worked in the concession stand at the roller rink in Brownsdale. Following her job at the roller rink, she became a nurse’s aide. In her mid-20s, Andrea was hired by Walmart where she became a pharmacy technician and worked as a technician the remainder of her life. 

Andrea was a generous person during her life and afterwards, donating tissue, bones, and her pericardium, the membrane enclosing the heart. Andrea loved to take road trips, especially with a group of four - two friends from Clear Lake, Iowa, her mother, and herself. These four traveled every year, exploring the great USA. She also traveled frequently with her cousin, Rhonda. Andrea has been in all the United States except the New England states, Texas, and Alaska. She has been to Hawaii twice and each time she had a hibiscus flower tattooed on her left forearm with plans to add a flower every time she visited Hawaii. As an adventure, Andrea went to Cancun, Mexico where she snorkeled with whale sharks and held a nurse shark in her lap. Andrea loved to read and play video games in her spare time when she wasn't interacting with her pets Chubs, Harley, and Binx (who visited her in the hospital the day before she passed).

Andrea is survived by her son, Brent Riddle of Blooming Prairie, MN; mother, Nancy Oelkers of Brownsdale, MN; brothers, Alexander (Beth) Oelkers of Monticello, MN and Scott Oelkers of Albert Lea, MN; the love of her life, Trent Goertz of Blooming Prairie, MN; and Bryan (Shania) Goertz of Rochester, MN; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Roger Oelkers; great-aunt, Erma; and grandparents.

The memorial service for Andrea will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.