Gene W. Ehlert
December 30, 2010
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Service Details
Services for Gene W. Ehlert, 73, of West Des Moines will be at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 12th and Grand in West Des Moines. Visitation will be on Monday, January 3, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m. and the funeral on Tuesday, January 4 at 11:00 a.m. with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Mr. Ehlert died December 30, 2010, of an apparent heart attack.
Born in Cushing, Iowa to William and Dorothy (Mohr) Ehlert, he was a graduate of Cushing High School and Iowa State University, and served in the United States Marine Corps.
He lived several years in Clear Lake, Iowa while working for Federal Land Bank in Mason City. On August 1, 1964, he married Sally Lynne Witmer. They lived in Mason City for four years while he was employed with The Prudential Insurance Co. making farm loans, before moving to West Des Moines in 1968. Two daughters were born to them, Nanette in 1968, and Nicole in 1970.
Mr. Ehlert continued with The Prudential until 1982, and later retired in 1995 from his position as a second vice-president in the Commercial Real Estate Division of Principal Financial Group. He was a member of St Mark Lutheran Church, Crosstrainers, Kiwanis Club of West Des Moines and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was also ATO Board of Trustees chairman and ATO chapter advisor at Iowa State University, and an active member and past-president of the Kiwanis Club of West Des Moines. St. Mark activities had included Chancel Choir, Men’s Study Group, and teaching Club 56. Other volunteer activities were Special Olympics and The Salvation Army and he enjoyed biking and RAGBRAI, sailing, swimming, farming, and working with youth.
The Ehlerts also resided part-time at their summer home in Clear Lake, IA, where they treasured the joy of gathering with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Sally, a daughter Nanette (Chris) Haugen of Alexandria, MN, a daughter Nicole (Bill) Baedke of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and a sister Joan Ludvigson of Holstein, IA. He dearly loved his five grandchildren, Hailey Haugen and Cole Haugen of Alexandria, MN, and Dylan Baedke, Ethan Baedke, and Morgan Baedke of Glen Ellyn, IL. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Park (Darla) Ludvigson, Ryan (Jenny) Ludvigson, Sally Ahern, Kellen (Kayla) Ludvigson, Keisha Ludvigson, and Kari Ludvigson.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mark Lutheran Church of West Des Moines; or to ATO Foundation and sent to the family for inclusion in a scholarship fund in honor of Gene’s commitment to the young men of ATO at Iowa State.
Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Donna Reyburn
01/10/2011
Sally, I am so sorry to hear about Gene. You had been married and in love for a very long time. I hope that your many memories of your years together will sustain you during this very sad ti8me. I have you in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Donna Reyburn
Greg and Ann Hauser
01/06/2011
Sally and family,
We were saddened to hear Gene had passed away. We hope the best for you and the rest of the family.
We have lived in Minneapolis for the past seven years so have not Gene in quite awhile.
I'll miss him and all the fun we had at Principal...particularly backyard barbeques at the Ehlerts.
All the best to you and family. We'll be thinking about you.
Greg and Ann Hauser
Brian and Anne Quass family
01/05/2011
Our condolences on your loss Sally. You both were so very kind to everyone and we are saddened to hear the news. God bless!
Janeth Sindt Burg
01/04/2011
Sally and family,
I heard of Gene's passing from my brother & sister in law(Jerry & Kathy Sindt) who live near Holstein and Gail Stanton.
We are wintering in Arizona so looked for his obituary in the DM Register. My sympathy to all of you as you mourn and grieve this very unexpected loss in his and your lives.
Gene graduated in 1955 and our class in 1956. And being in a small school we all knew everyone in all grades. Of course basketball was the main activity of such small schools and we had a great Coach, Jack Henneberry for 4 years. He also was a very good teacher. I have kept in touch with the Henneberrys (live in Homewood IL) and will let them know of Gene's passing. I am sure they will be saddened.
My God's love and comfort surround you through friends and family.
Jan Burg
Fred Dillemuth
01/04/2011
Dear Sally and family,
I was so saddened to hear of your husband's passing. His life and altruistic deeds were a true inspiration to all he touched. There is comfort in the knowledge that such a giving,caring soul makes an impact that lasts forever. May the Lord comfort you and your loved ones in this time of sorrow and reflection.
Your classmate and fellow thespian,
Fred
Larry and Sherry Millang
01/04/2011
Sherry and I were so sad to hear of Gene's passing. Gene and I were
good friends during our college days at Iowa State. Sherry fondly
remembers his part in our wedding. He will be missed.
Richard Rojas
01/04/2011
To the Ehlert family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Gene. I know how difficult this must be for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Gene was such a kind, gentle person. He would do anything to help someone in need. I remember how he still stood by me even after I had to leave Iowa State for personal reasons. Gene will be dearly missed, and I encourage you to draw on your strength and the strength of your family and friends.
May God bless you and your family during this time and always,
Richard A. Rojas
Ron and Kathy French
01/04/2011
Sally and family, Truly no words can express to you,our sympathy for your loss. When our sons called to inform us of Gene,we as everyone else,were shocked and somewhat unbelieving. We won't know "why" in this lifetime but I'm sure Gene now knows why his work on earth ended and his work continues now in Heaven. As another mother of ATO asked "do you think there is an ATO house in heaven--definately!! Sally, Ron and I first met you and Gene through our sons,Steven and Sean,at the ATO fraternity.We are so grateful for the impact that Gene and you had on our sons and the other young men at ATO. Gene gave to those young men no less than what he gave to his family--his ministry,his love,his devotion. As our sons will testify-Gene hepled to shape these young men as to what they have become today. A bible verse from Ephesians 6 verse 11 tells us to "Put on the whole armour of God,that you may stand against the wiles of the devil." Well we believe God has used Gene as part of that "armour." With his ministry and how Gene lived his life,Gene helped each of us to stand fast against "the wiles of the devil"-whatever form that could have taken. His dedictaion to ATO was a huge gain not only for the fraternity men but for their families as well. "Monday night with Gene" was something those men looked forward to and the weekly talks with Gene cannot be replaced. When Ron and I think of Gene,we shall remember(in addition to his infectious smile) a man who did the right thing not because he had to but because he WANTED to,God's way. We are so honored to have had Gene not only in our sons lives but in ours also. In our hearts Gene rests! Ron and Kathy French-Sioux City
The Scopelliti Family
01/04/2011
Our deepest sympathies to the family. We were shocked and saddened to hear of Gene's passing. The young men of ATO, and their parents, will truly miss him.
Lisa Carton
01/03/2011
Dear Sally, Nanette, Nicole, and Family,
I was so sorry to hear that Gene is no longer with us. I've always looked
forward to seeing him at the reunions. He has always been so kind and fun
to talk to, and I enjoyed the wisdom of his Sunday Services. He was such
a wonderful person, and will be greatly missed. Love to all of you, Lisa
Ronda Riley Christensen
01/03/2011
Nanette and Family,
Wishing you strength, comfort, faith, and grace as you walk through this loss. Your dad made so many meaningful contributions to the world. You must be so proud to be his daughter/family.
Mary Ellen Lesher
01/03/2011
Dear Sally, Nanette and Nicole,
What a shocking time this is for all of you and your families. My heart aches knowing your sadness and loss.
Gene was the "real McCoy". He loved you all so much. His faith and kindness stretched out to every person he met.
It is that faith that give you each the strength you need in coming days.
May our Lord continue to enfold you with His loving care.
With love, Mary Ellen
Javier Salinas
01/03/2011
Dear Sally,
I was very saddened to hear of the death od Gene. We did not only go to Iowa State but also were fraternity brothers at the gamma Upsilon Chapter. He was much younger than me as I graduated in 1952 but nevertheless the fraternal spirit was there. I think the best thing we did was to build the new ATO Hose and I was able to appreciate it when I went to the 150 anniversary of our chapter last fall.
Anyway my sympathies to you and your family.
Leslie and Rick James
01/03/2011
Dear Sally, Nanette, Nicole, Joan and families -
We are deeply moved by Gene and the love he showed everyone. His big heart and "I love yous" was and is a gift and model for each of us to reach out and see God in everyone and all things... and to express that at every opportunity. His smile, warmth, kindness and laughter live in our hearts. Mom and Dad send much love to you as they give thanks for the gift of Gene in our lives - and all those wonderful times together throughout the years. Gene is beloved - we considered him an emotional patriarch of our family. We are so grateful for him in our lives and we hold you deeply in our hearts.
Judy Lee
01/03/2011
Was so sorry to hear about Gene. Will always remember what a nice guy he was & his willingness to be helpful to Linda & I when we were dealing with Mom's estate. You are in my thoughts & prayers.