Bernard .L. "Red" Ehlers

Bernard "Red" Ehlers, 95, longtime Ogallala resident, died Saturday, December 20, 2014, at the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant. Red was born May 5, 1919 in Persia, Iowa, the son of Frederich and Anna (Iwen) Ehlers. The Ehlers family moved to Ogallala to farm when Red was a young boy. Red graduated from Ogallala High School in 1938 and remained in the area to help run the family farm after his father had passed away. Red also assisted in building the Kingsley Dam. On June 27, 1943, he married Dora Jean Uerling. They continued to farm until they moved to Estes Park, Colorado where Dora Jean opened a clothing store and Red worked on road construction. Returning to Ogallala in 1950, they took over operations of the Uerling's dry cleaning business. Another move back to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1962, Red worked for Phil Long Ford in car sales. The couple returned to their roots in Ogallala in 1971, where they remained and Red worked at Kohl Motors until he retired. Red was very active in the Ogallala Elks Lodge 1760, where he became a Charter Member in 1948 and a Life Member in 1985. He was exalted ruler in 1961-62, a Trustee from 1975-80 and acted as the Secretary for the Lodge for 22 years from 1980 - 2002. He was also an avid golfer and member of West Winds Golf Club. Preceding him in death was his wife Dora Jean, infant daughter Sally Ann, two sisters: Gladys and Velma; three brothers: Marvin, Walter, and Arnold; and son-in-law Dean Knaub. Survivors include two daughters Susan (Dennis) Schilz of Lemoyne and Linda (Doug) Fuller of Ogallala. Four grandsons: Col. Brett Knaub (Ret.) and wife Melinda of Papillion, Mike (Lisa) Knaub of Ogallala, Zachary Fuller and Brandon Fuiller, both of Ogallala and attending UNL in Lincoln; Six great-grandchildren: Major Jordan Knaub and wife Kelsey, Chayce Knaub, Capt. Zayn Knaub and wife Maggie, Trent Knaub, Sierra Knaub, and Dalton Jarosz. and three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family chose cremation. The Memorial Service will be Tuesday, December 30, at 10 a.m. in the Ogallala First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established in his name to the Ogallala Elks Lodge #1760.

Service Information A service summary is not available