Thomas C. "Tom" Ehlers, 75

Thomas C. "Tom" Ehlers, 75, of Cody, Wyo., died Friday, August 3, 2012, after suffering a dissecting aortic aneurism.

Memorial services are 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, at the CMA Church in Cody.

Thomas “Tom” Charles Ehlers was born August 11, 1936, in Walthill to Dr. Donald R. Ehlers, DDS, and Clara E. Ehlers on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in the Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte Memorial Hospital, a hospital founded by the first Native American female doctor.

He was raised in Blair and graduated from Blair High School in 1954.

He was fortunate to enjoy moderate success in athletics, especially football. His athletic prowess was enough that he was given a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska. Unfortunately, he was not prepared for the scholastic side of university life so after a trying first semester he transferred to Dana College in Blair, where he spent the next semester.

But having fun was on his plate before academics even at Dana College, so with his parents urging, he was “selected” to serve in the United States Army, to which he did for a two-year enlistment. During his enlistment he was stationed in Japan where he played football for a U.S. Army team.

After his discharge from the U.S. Army he enrolled in classes at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, where he finally got his act together academically. While at Nebraska Wesleyan University he continued playing football and played two years before giving it up for academics and his love, Carolyn E. Lindberg. In 1960 he graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with his bachelor’s degree.

On December 27, 1959, he married Carolyn in O’Neill and they established a family in the northeast area of Lincoln.

His work career was entirely in the health insurance claims field. He worked for four firms, but primarily Woodmen Accident and Life of Lincoln.

The highlight of his “part-time” working career was football officiating. He started with working eight-man high school games in southeast Nebraska, ascended to small college games in Nebraska and surrounding states, and culminated with working for 21 years in the Big 8 Conference from 1972 to 1993. During his time in the Big 8 Conference, he was selected to officiate in seven college football bowl games.

After retirement, the couple moved to Cody, where their oldest son had previously moved with his family.

They enjoyed traveling and socializing with their many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn E. Ehlers, sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas Jr. and Deborah of Cody, Tobin and Julie of Omaha, and Tim and Lisa of Salem, Ore.; four grandchildren; and a sister, Arlene Ehlers of Beatrice.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald R. Ehlers Jr.

Memorials may be sent to the Mosaic House, 722 S. 12th Street, Beatrice, NE 68310, or the American Cancer Society.

Ballard Funeral Home in Cody was in charge of arrangements.

#2 Printed in the Aug. 6, 2012 World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska

Ehlers, Thomas “Tom” Charles

Aug. 11, 1936 ~ Aug. 3, 2012

Cody, WY. Born to Donald R. and Clara E. Ehlers in Walthill, NE on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in the Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte Memorial Hospital, a hospital founded by the first Native American female doctor. Raised in Blair, NE, he graduated from Blair High School in 1954. Served in the United States Army and stationed in Japan, where he played football for a US Army team. Tom married Carolyn E. Lyndberg on December 27. 1959 in O’Neill, NE, and together established a family in Lincoln, NE. Survived by his wife Carolyn; sons, Thomas, Jr. and Deborah, Cody, WY; Tobin and Julie, Omaha, and Tim and Lisa, Salem, OR; sister Arlene Ehlers, Beatrice, NE; and grandchildren, Landon, Jedediah, Ana and Emma. Preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Donald R. Ehlers, DDS and Clara E. Ehlers; and brother Donald R. Ehlers, Jr.

Memorial services Tuesday, August 7, at 4pm at the CMA Church in Cody. Memorials may be sent to: The Mosaic House, 722 S. 12th Street, Beatrice, NE 68310, or American Cancer Society.

Ballard Funeral Home, 636 19th St., Cody, WY 307-899-3375

~~~Obituaries courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Association; newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~