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Arnold Ehlers, 97, of Barrett
Published 9:23am Friday, December 28, 2012 Updated 11:25am Friday, December 28, 2012Arnold Ehlers, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, at Barrett Care Center.
Arnold Roland Ehlers was born July 26, 1915, in Ward County near Douglas, N.D. His parents were John and Olina (Ostrom) Ehlers. He attended grade and high school in Douglas, graduating in 1932.
Arnold went on to Ellendale College in North Dakota to graduate with a four-year bachelors degree of science and industrial arts. During those years, he worked his way through school doing various jobs such as restaurant work, being a custodian and working at the International Harvester Implement Company.
In 1937, Arnold accepted a teaching position at Oakes, N.D., where he taught Industrial Arts Science and Chemistry for two years.
In 1939, he accepted a teaching job in Powers, Ore., where he taught Industrial Arts, welding, metal work, wood working, science, and coached basketball.
He also served as Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America. During his summers, he also worked at several jobs such as working at a logging camp, painting and welding at the Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, Wash.
In 1942, Arnold was called into service by the United States Army. He was trained in airplane mechanics as part of the U.S. Army Air Corp and served our country by maintaining and reconstructing planes.
In the fall of 1945, he was discharged and he returned to Elbow Lake.
Arnold met Doris Mickelson at the Roosevelt Ball located in the Community Building in Elbow Lake on Jan. 30, 1946.
On Oct. 26, 1946, they were married. The couple lived in Minot, N.D., for a year before returning to Elbow Lake, and began farming. They purchased the farm where Arnold’s grandparents and mother lived. They raised three children – Sharon, Robert and Mark.
In 1978, Arnold retired from farming and he and Doris moved to town. They spent 18 winters in Arizona where they shared time with special friends.
In October 2004, they moved to Maplewood Manor. Arnold was a member of United Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post 321 in Elbow Lake.
Arnold is survived by his wife Doris; a daughter, Sharon (Dave) Strunk of Hoffman; sons, Robert (Connie) Ehlers of Barrett and Mark (Diane) Ehlers of Elbow Lake; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Olina; two sisters, Helen and Violet; five brothers, Louis, Earl, Jack, Nevin and John; and one great-grandson, Marcus Ehlers.
Memorials may be sent to the Grant County Food Shelf, or a charity of the donor’s choosing.
Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a sharing time at 6:30 p.m., at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, at United Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake
Clergy: Rev. Bob Toso
Burial: Ness Cemetery, Elbow Lake
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake
Condolences may be sent online at
www.EricksonSmithFH.com
