Harlan Erwin Oelklaus

Harlan Erwin Oelklaus was born July 16, 1942, in St. Charles, Missouri. He was a high school

basketball star and earned a scholarship to Nichols State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana,

where he graduated with a degree in economics. He went on to get his MBA from the

University of Missouri.

Harlan spent his career in human resources and ultimately became Vice President of Human

Resources for Centrilift in Claremore, Oklahoma. He then became a consultant advising

businesses and specializing in teamwork. Toward the end of his career, he focused on his

expertise in dealing with the dynamics of family businesses. His clients held him in high regard.

For many business owners, he was like a second father.

In 1996, he and Nancy married and began their journey together in Austin, Texas. In June of

2015, they retired to Sedona, Arizona, where Harlan enjoyed golfing, then golfing some more,

and then golfing just a bit more, with occasional spurts of BS tossed in.

Survivors include his wife Nancy Oelklaus of Sedona; sister Donna Klaus and brother Ronnie

Oelklaus, both of St. Peters, Missouri; son Todd and daughter-in-law Scotti Oelklaus of

Overland Park, Kansas; step-son Brett McClaran of Texarkana, Arkansas; step-daughter Anne

Marie McClaran and son-in-law Dan Batz of Portland, Oregon; granddaughters Madeline

(Jamison) Roney of Panama City, Florida and Mallari McClaran of College Station, Texas.

Harlan was dedicated to Alcoholics Anonymous and had been a member since 2000.

Donations in his memory should be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, contribution.aa.org or to

Christ Lutheran Church, Sedona, Arizona.