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
Lanny and Liz Kinkade
01/02/2011
Dearest Sally and family,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Gene's sudden passing. We understand all too keenly the shock and pain you are feeling now and our prayers are with you all. Gene has been a blessing to our family, twinkling with his delightful sense of humor and fun, shining with kindness, and sometimes lighting our way by sharing his deep faith with us. We are honored to have known him and we will miss him always.
Emily (Wachtel) Allen
01/02/2011
Sally & Family-
So sorry to learn of Gene's passing. My prayers are with you and your family. I always enjoyed seeing him outside of church when he was helping at Valley football games, and joyfully ringing the Salvation Army bell. He was always genuinely happy to see everyone and to know how they were doing. Gene was a great mentor and role model. He will be missed. Love to you and your family.
Jean Caster
01/02/2011
Dear Sally,
I was very sorry to hear of Gene's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jean Caster
Dave and Polly Suntken
01/02/2011
Dear Sally and family, We were so sorry to hear of the death of Gene. Please know that we are thinking of you all. Gene was such a loving,friendly person and we enjoyed our visits with both of you in Clear Lake city park after Zion Lutheran's summer services. We will continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. We will pray for peace, strenth and hope for your family as you face these difficult days. Gene will be missed. Please accept our sincere sympathies.
Dave and Polly Suntken - Clear Lake, IA
Nancy Hancock
01/02/2011
Dear Sally,
I am so sorry to read about Genes passing. I hope you are comforted knowing that so many friends old and new are thinking about you with love during this difficult time.
Nick Ortiz Family
01/02/2011
Sally and family,
We were truly sorry to hear of Gene's passing. He was a very caring,
giving and kind person.
We are very grateful for all the energy and love he gave to the youth of St.
Mark. Our family is very thankful for the friendships he developed with
our sons, Tonio and Christopher. I know Christopher will miss Gene, as he
cared about him a great deal.
Gene will always be remembered with love and thankfulness for the presence
he had in our family.
God Bless you all.
Pam and Loren Schroeder
01/02/2011
We were so sorry to hear of Gene's passing. He touched so many young men's lives at ATO. We are glad our son Jon was one of them. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this very difficult time.
Kathy Schwarz
01/02/2011
Dear Sally and Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this very tough time.Since I've been away from Des Moines since high school I regret I never had a chance to get to know Gene. But reading about his life was an inspiration - he certainly lived life to the fullest and I know you all were a very vital part of that fullness. May that thought give you peace and strenghth.
Love
Kathy Brogan Schwarz and Fritz
Russ Trimble
01/02/2011
Dear Ehlerts,
I am currently out of the country and will be unable to attend the services for Gene. I cannot even begin to tell you how shocked and how saddened I was to see my email today regarding Gene's passing. Gene was the nicest, kindest, most welcoming individual. I admired his selfless leadership in our community. He was an absoloute model of giving back. I don't think I have ever seen someone as giving, loving, caring, and welcoming as Gene! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I will miss his smiling face. I am so sorry for your huge loss. There will be a huge hole not only in your hearts, but in the hearts of all his friends, people he touched, and in the heart of the community he served. Thanks for sharing Gene with us! He will be forever missed!
Russ Trimble
Marti and Richard Michell
01/02/2011
Marti and I are shocked at this tragic news. Gene was simply among the very best. His impact on the ATO house can only be under estimated. He will be deeply missed by so many.
Marti and Richard Michell
GARY S FLETCHER
01/02/2011
REGARDS TO YOU ALL IN WHAT MUST BE A SHOCKING SITUATION.
Barb Rice
01/01/2011
Dearest Ehlert Family,
We are so shocked and saddened by Gene's death. We have truly lost one of the best!! Our loss here on earth is surely God's gain. Gene has left an incredible legacy in the many lives and hearts he has touched and inspired, and that certainly includes us. Your family has been a model for our family since I first met your two darling girls when Nanette was 7 years old!! We will continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers and we pray that God will give you the strength and comfort you need in the next few days and in the time ahead without Gene walking beside you. I know that he is with you and will always watch out for all of you as he always did. There is truly another angel in heaven. May your great family memories and the care and concern of your family and many friends comfort you and help you to find peace. Please call on us for anything we can help with. God bless you all.
We love you, Tim and Barb Rice
Sue Roberts
01/01/2011
Sally and family,
It was always a joy to see Gene when I would come over on my jet ski to visit my good friend Michael Vratsinas. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Gene is watching the greatest fireworks show in heaven tonight. The two of you always showed Christian love to Michael and his family. In caring thoughts...
Sue Roberts
Erik & Lauri Haugen
01/01/2011
Dear Sally, Nanette and Nicole,
There are no words adequate for a time like this. We want you to know we continue to uplift you and your entire family in our thoughts and prayers. We are sending big hugs and love to all. Gene's faith was inspiring to everyone who knew him. He was a kind and classy gentleman; we will remember him so fondly and know how greatly he will be missed.
Jan and Dean Molinsky
01/01/2011
Sally, we are so sorry to have gotten your message regarding Gene. We will miss having good visits and time together at the lake. He was a special neighbor and we will miss him a lot. If there is anything we can do for you here, please let us know. Again, our sympathy and prayers go out to you and yours. Jan and Dean