Gene W. Ehlert
December 30, 2010
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
Coble Caperton
01/03/2011
Gene was a delightful gentleman. I had the pleasure of working with him
in ATO. I send my deepest sympathies to the family of a wonderful ATO brother.
Beverlyn Stoneking
01/03/2011
My sympathy and prayers are with you at this sad time. I was glad to be able to visit with my old classmate & friend at the church Advent soup supper when he was home to see Joan. Please know that I am thinking of you.
Connie Madison
01/03/2011
Gene was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. Before Club 56, he was actually one of my confirmation teachers all those years ago. Not only did my son Daniel enjoy Club 56 each year, he volunteered to join Gene for an hour or two each year ringing the bell at Dahl's for the Salvation Army. When my father passed away last year, Gene took Daniel out for ice cream and putt putt golf after delivering flowers for the church to help fill my fathers void in Daniel's life. Our entire family will miss Gene very much.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you,
Connie, Maggie & Daniel Madison
Robert Crane
01/03/2011
Sally, Nanette and Nicole,
I was so sorry to hear of Gene's sudden passing. I remember Gene's father Bill passing the same way and he was only in his 60s.
Gene and I were in 4-H together in Ida County before we became fraternity brothers at Ames.
A wonderful guy has been lost and we must march on -- I know this as I lost my wife in Sept. 2008.
All my best,
Robert Crane
ATO Grad '64
Tami Marek
01/03/2011
We are so saddened to hear about Gene. He was a very special person, always with a smile and a warm welsome. The Ehlert family has certainly lost a wonderful role model. You are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Love, Dave and Tami Marek
James A. Jurack, CMC
01/03/2011
Gene was a dedicated and selfless leader, whose guidance and support for ATO at Iowa State will be greatly missed. Through his hard work, he touched scores of young men and alumni whose lives will be all the better for having known Gene or benefited from his efforts. All those who knew him or worked with him for ATO know how much he cared for his fraternity, and valued his service. Please accept my condolences for your loss, and best wishes for comfort from the knowledge of the blessed resurrection through Jesus Christ, in whose service Gene worked so diligently.
CC Burnett
01/03/2011
Dear Nanette and family
On behalf of all the Kindergartners and their families at Woodland Elementary we would like to offer our heart felt sympathies at this very sad time.
Though we did not know your father, his wonderful presence is felt through you everyday in your kind, gentle, and caring teaching style with our children!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
CC Burnett
Pete Englin
01/03/2011
I served as Dean of Students from 2000 - 2005 and had the distinct honor and pleasure of working with Gene in his service to our Greek community. From the first moment we met I knew I found not only a great collaborator in providing the best possible experiences for our Iowa State University students but someone who would provide a personal and professional example for a life of service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ehlert family.
Steve Golumbeck
01/03/2011
Gene was a true role model for me. His ethics and morals were inspiring. I can truly say that I am a better man for the time I spent learning from Gene. He was a great man and he will be very greatly missed.
Landon Lowell Kinkade
01/03/2011
With more Love than words do Justice,
As I continue considering this Incredible Man,,, and his journey through life with us,,, I am driven through thoughts of all the people I love, know, and have met. Of all these fine people, Gene Ehlert will always be considered a favorite. There are few people who possess the ability to create such comfort, ease, and compassion for those in their company with such ease, the way Gene had. With the warmth of his voice, the honesty in his soul, and the smile he couldn't shake, he acquired the keys to our friendship within seconds of his meeting me in my crib, I am sure. :) Uncle Gene will ALWAYS be a favorite to me, as I am sure he is and his memories are to the rest of our family, his friends, and acquaintances.
"Thank you Gene, for the experiences of Love, Respect, and Joy, you left all of us with in your presence, and in our memories... ... ..."
Missing him,
Landon
Craig & Diane Barnes
01/02/2011
Sally, Nanette and Nicole,
We are not going to be able to make it back to Des Moines for services, but please know that our prayers are with you. The Ehlert's have always been a special family to us and Gene was a great mentor and friend to me. We were greatly saddened today to learn of his death. Although many miles and a number of years have separated us recently, I cherish the many years of working closely with Gene. His insight, his counsel and his quick smile have never left me. The times Diane and I spent with Gene and the three of you back when the "girls" were still at home are special memories for us. The life Gene lived exemplified his faith and I have no doubt he entered heaven with a smile and singing his favorite hymn. May the Holy Spirit hold you and your family in the palm of His hand.
Sincerely,
Craig and Diane Barnes
Brad Mitchell
01/02/2011
Separate note:
Nicole, I have lived in unincorporated Glen Ellyn (just south of Butterfield and 53) for 20+ years. I'm sure our families would love to meet sometime later on. We've just returned from Iowa this evening when we heard.
Regards,
Brad
bmitchell@pathcomms.com
Brad Mitchell, Ellen & Everett
01/02/2011
Dear Sally, Nanette, and Nicole,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Gene certainly made a mark on me and my family, and while fairly young while we spent the summer weekends next door, it was obvious to me he was one of the great husbands, fathers, men. In fact, my wife remembered him immediately, having met him only briefly and one time up at the lake. I enjoyed the cards and goofing with your family - it very much was what made the place special. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. The obituary was nice, and to see everything he'd been involved in was exactly what I had expected. I wish you all peace as time takes on.
Amy Rasmussen Thorne
01/02/2011
Sally, Nanette and Nicole -
Our prayers are with you at this tragic time. We are all saddened to hear about your loss. Gene was a remarkable man with deep faith and integrty. He will be deeply missed. We are thankful for his touch on all of our lives.
God bless you,
The Thorne Family
Jan and Bo Campbell
01/02/2011
Sally and girls:
We are saddened and shocked to read about Gene. There just wasn't a finer or kinder
individual than Gene. He always had a smile and a warm welcome each time you
saw him. How proud he was of his family and the love he felt for them was truly evident.
We are thinking about all of you and hope that the love that you all shared with Gene will
get you through this very difficult time.
Love, Jan and Bo