(Photo)

Randall Ehlers, 70

Funeral Services for Randall John Ehlers, 70, of Amelia, were held Monday, August 8, 2016, at Faith Community Church in O’Neill. Randall passed away at his home on Friday, July 29, 2016.

Ehlers was born on November 22, 1946, to Fred and Sylvia Ehlers of Fort Calhoun. He graduated in 1964 and joined the Marine Corps Reserves, serving from 1964 to 1970. After returning home from boot camp, Ehlers and his father, Fred, formed a 50/50 partnership that lasted almost 40 years.

Ehlers met Kathy Walsh at a dance in 1966, and they married in September 1968. Their son, Matt, was born in 1972, and several months later, Ehlers and his father bought some pasture land southwest of Chambers. In 1974, they bought the place where Ehlers would spend the rest of his life ranching and raising a family. His daughters, Jill and Carissa, were born in 1975 and 1983. Ehlers involved his three children in ranch work from an early age, teaching them the meaning of hard work, integrity, and faith in Jesus Christ.

Ehlers served on the Amelia School Board and was a long-time member of the Sandhill’s Cattle Association. He served on the Camp Witness Board, and as an elder of the Faith Community Church, each for 17 years.

Ehlers truly enjoyed ranch life. He liked caring for his livestock, servicing his equipment, and tinkering in his shop. His patience allowed him to enjoy even the most repetitive tasks, like fixing fence. He looked forward to making improvements to the ranch through various projects. Upon arrival, the ranch was bare, with virtually no winter protection for cattle. Ehlers immediately started planting trees. He and his family continued to plant and care for many new shelter belts over the years.

Through the years, Ehlers hired many kids to work in the hayfield, most of which had no prior work experience. Ehlers had a heart for teaching them work ethic, ranch skills, and life lessons that came about in everyday life. He held his ranch hands to high expectations, but was patient and persistent in mentoring them through breakdowns, accidents, and the other inevitable failures that came from learning new skills on the ranch.

In 2009, Ehlers was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In April of 2015, at Mayo Clinic, the family learned that he instead had Lewy body dementia, which often is misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s due to its mirroring characteristics. Doctors continually asked if Ehlers was angry or difficult and when his family said “no," they always commented on what a rarity it was for his disease. When his ability to mentally and physically manage his behavior was gone, it became apparent that the spiritual strength remained. Even when he had lost almost all ability to communicate, a “thank you” or “I love you” could most often be discerned. On July 29, 2016, with his wife, children (and spouses), and grandchildren at his side, Ehlers left his earthly home and entered into eternity with his Savior.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathy, children; Matt Ehlers, and wife, Heidi, of Amelia; Jill Ballard, and husband, Kyle, of Ashland, NE; Carissa Konrad, and husband, Nick, of Atkinson; twelve grandchildren; and one sister, Kristi Murphy, and husband, Dennis, of Atkinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Sylvia Ehlers.

Memorials may be made to the Holt County Fair or to the Veteran’s Homestead Memorial Park in care of Chambers American Legion.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~