Michael Edward Ohlschwager, Jr.

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Edward Ohlschwager, on November 4th, 2025, at the age of 72, a man whose unwavering love for his family and friends was a cornerstone of a life well lived.

Michael was born on January 9th, 1953 in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Lincoln High in 1971. Throughout high school, he was known as one of the notorious Belmont Boys, a circle of unwavering friendships that lasted the entirety of his life. Michael spent a majority of his life raising his family in Colorado before moving to Kentucky in 2020 where he lived the remainder of his life.

Michael had a 43 year career as a Conductor first for Burlington Northern before retiring from Amtrak. On the railroad, Michael was loved and respected by all who knew him as “Oly” and he gave years of service acting as the Regional Union Representative working to advocate for his peers. Michael also shared his passion for skiing as a volunteer ski instructor with the National Sports Center for the Disabled, giving lessons and assisting disabled persons, veterans, and children for over 25 years.

Michael’s legacy, however, is cherishing every moment with his family and being a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son. In reflection, his daughters and wife remember the happiest of times with Michael listening to live music or going to concerts; singing on the ski lifts and skiing through the trees; going on road trips with lots of “short-cuts;” vacations to see family; camping & fishing; Warren Miller shows; partying with the Belmont Boys; filling out March Madness Brackets; watching Huskers and Broncos football; sharing a love for the Colorado Avalanche; and dancing the “nae nae” in the kitchen.

Even though his daughters would argue that he loved his grandchildren most, Michael loved his three daughters and his wife unconditionally. Brenda and Mike shared 32 years of love, friendship, and devotion to one another before his passing. Brenda was by his side every step as Michael’s health wavered in recent years going through a lung lobectomy in 2018, overcoming prostate cancer in 2022, and through the process of receiving his double lung transplant in June of 2024. Their marriage is a lasting testament of love expressed in many forms - in words spoken, hands held, kind gestures, and the quiet strength drawn from their shared devotion to family.

Michael is survived by his wife Brenda (Frankenfield) Ohlschwager; his children, Maria (Ohlschwager) Pruitt, Brandy (Ohlschwager) Lunsford & son-in-law Matthew Lunsford, and Kristi Ohlschwager & future son-in-law Dalton Scoggins; his grandchildren Jade Pruitt, Skye Pruitt, Sadie Lunsford, Aubree Lunsford, and future step-grandson Luke Scoggins; Siblings, Deb (Larry) Peterson, Tom (Diane) Ohlschwager, Linda (Bob) Bergholz, Sherry (Rich) Schroer, and Cindy (Ira) Morgan; a long list of honorary “4th daughters;” and countless friends and loved ones who will carry his memory in their hearts. Michael is preceded in death by his Father, Edward Ohlschwager; Mother, Marcella “Marty” (Solt) Ohlschwager; and Sister, Luanne (Ohlschwager) Olsen.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at Hardy & Son Funeral Homes and Cremation at 3098 Louisville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101 with a greeting hour at 1:00pm and the service beginning at 2:00pm.

The family will also be hosting a celebration of Michael’s life in Cortland, NE at the world famous “Poolerosa” on April 11th, 2026, where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, and honor his remarkable life.