Ronald M. Oelke

Ronald M. Oelke, 65, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at his home.

Ron was born on December 31, 1960, in Columbus, Wisconsin, the son of Herman “Skip” and Barbara (Vorpagel) Oelke. Ron was a Boy Scout in his youth and graduated from Waterloo High School in 1979, where he was active in sports and band, playing both drums and piano. He attended the UW-Madison in the agriculture program for one year before transferring to MATC Madison in the marketing program, where he received his Associate’s degree. It was there that he met Jill Thompson in 1981. They married in May of 1983 (on Jill’s 21st birthday) and were married for 28 years. They remained friends over the years.

Throughout his teen years, Ron worked for his father at the H&O Grocery Store (owned by his dad and his Godfather). Ron worked at American TV after college for a year before returning to H&O. In June of 1987, Ron began working for Perry Printing Corp., working his way up to Customer Service Manager. When the Waterloo plant closed, he began working at the Baraboo plant and remained there through ownership changes until he accepted a position at RR Donnelley in Danville, KY, in 2020. He accepted a position at Sheridan in Lebanon Junction, KY, starting in June of 2025. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with ALS just after Memorial Day of 2025 and was forced to retire before reaching his 40th year in printing.

Ron bowled in several leagues in Waterloo. He also loved to golf, and he and Jill were members at Lake Ripley Country Club for many years. He passed his love of golf on to their children.

Ron is survived by his children, Christopher (Layne Hofmeister) Oelke and Colleen (Sean Madderon) Oelke, and his former wife, Jill Oelke. He is preceded in death by his parents and Jill’s parents.

A memorial service will take place at 12:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waterloo, with Pastor Tim Knipfer and Pastor Robert Moberg presiding. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery.