Kim graduated from Nashville High School in 1977 and became a registered nurse before becoming involved in the Oil and Gas industry. Working as the Secretary/Treasurer for Oelze Equipment Company, Elmer Oelze Jr. Oil, Oelze Production Company, and Oelze Supply. Kim was a member of industry related organizations such as Desk and Derrick, serving in many positions including President of the Little Egypt Desk and Derrick Club from 1987 to 1996. She was a charter member of the of Heartland Desk and Derrick Club of Southern Illinois and served as President. In 2007, Kim served as Region II Director of the Association of Desk and Derrick. She also served on the Illinois Petroleum Resource Board. Through her work to promote the Oil and Gas Industry Kim was Awarded the Petroleum Professional Woman of the Year by The Illinois Oil and Gas Association. She served as the first woman President of The Oil and Gas Association from 2011 to 2013.
Kim was also a member of the Original Kaskaskia Area Wilderness Inc. as well as The Okaw River Basin Coalition serving as Secretary for a number of years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Oelze Jr.; maternal grandparents, Arnold and Grace (Long) Marquard; and paternal grandparents, Elmer Sr. and Lena (Hoepker) Oelze Sr.
Surviving are her mother, Marion E., nee Marquard, Oelze; three brothers, William A. and Lisa (Coe) Oelze, Jeffrey E. and Christina (Haake) Oelze, and Elmer Dean and Amanda (Case) Oelze; and seven nieces and nephews, Lauren Oelze, Ty Oelze, Ethan Oelze, Colton Oelze, Kaitlyn Oelze, Alden Oelze, and Isla Oelze.
Memorials may be made to the Zion Cemetery Fund. Condolences may be expressed online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, at United Church of Christ, Addieville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, at United Church of Christ, Addieville, IL, with Rev. Beverly Kahle officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery, Addieville, IL.