CLARISSA "CHRIS" THELMA OERTLI, age 85, of Adrian, died Monday, April 2, 2012, at the Adrian Care Center. She was born June 26, 1926, in Hampton, IA, to Lester and Thelma (Orpin) Raddle. She graduated, at the age of 16, from Manley High School. Chris then worked for the United States Navy in Norfolk, VA. She also worked at an insurance office in Mason City, IA & Sioux Falls, SD.
Chris married Bernard Oertli on July 12, 1952, in Rock Rapids, IA. After their marriage, the couple lived in Adrian for the rest of their lives. They owned & operated Champlin Oil which later became Tri-City Gas.
She was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church, where she taught Religious Education for sixteen years; the WCCW; Christian Mothers; a fifty year member of the Catholic Daughters of America; and had served on the Adrian School Board for nine years. She enjoyed Bible study, reading, crafts, the Minnesota Twins and making afghans for all of her grandchildren.
Chris is survived by her eight children, Alan (LuAnn) Oertli, Adrian; Joan (Paul) Wilberding, Marcus, IA; Kathy (Rod) Smit, Worthington; Bill (Mary) Oertli, Dodge Center; Tim (Barbara) Oertli, Santa Clara, CA; Laura (Wilbur) Nedved, Yankton, SD; David (Bonnie) Oertli, Rogers; and Marie (Michael) Rentsch, Bruce, SD; twenty five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister, Claudia Riley, New Brighton; sister-in-law, Barb Raddle, Chancellor; brother-in-law, Lee (Coletta) Oertli, Adrian; and many nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bernard, on May 6, 2001; brother, Larry Raddle; sister, Marlys (Gordon) Blakely; and a brother-in-law, Joseph Riley.

---