Obituary: Don Ehlers

Don Ehlers of Midland, S.D., died on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Philip Nursing Home at the age of 82. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at St. William Catholic Church in Midland with Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrant. Interment with military honors were held immediately following the funeral service at the Midland Cemetery.

Donald Henry Ehlers - better known as "Don" by his family and friends - was born Oct. 15, 1937, near Hamar, N.D., to Henry "Hiney" and Edith (Baker) Ehlers. He was the oldest of four brothers. He lived with his parents and attended rural elementary school near home for eight years.

Don enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years and was stationed in Arkansas, Texas and Colorado where he specialized in missiles. After Don was honorably discharged, he traveled home where he met Sally Nemec in Pierre on a blind date. They were united in marriage on Feb. 11, 1961 in St. William Catholic Church in Midland. He and Sally had four children: Donald Dwayne, Cheryl Ann, Rory Allan and Pamela Sue.

Don worked for the Ernest Nemec family on their registered Hereford ranch for 23 years. Don and Sally moved from the Nemec homestead to establish their own place in 1984 and continued ranching for many years.

Survivors include four children, Donnie (Bonnie) Ehlers of Midland, Cheryl (Marty) Hook of Mobridge, Rory Ehlers of Ft. Pierre, and Pam Cook of Mitchell, Neb .; seven grandchildren: Rachel (Jake) Ritzman of Hopkins, Minn .; Devon (Haley) Ehlers of Philip, Dixie Ehlers of Midland, Stephanie Waller (Wayce) of Gillette, Wyo., Hunter Hook of Illinois, Nicolette Cook of Kearney, Neb., and Walker Cook of Lincoln, Neb .; three great-grandchildren, twins Alexis and Madison, and Brody Gisi all of Gillette, Wyo .; two brothers Henry (Connie) Ehlers of Phoenix, Arizona and Marlin (Mary Lou) Ehlers of Tolna, N.D .; sister-in-law Arlene (Darrel) Ehlers of McHenry, N.D .; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Sally on Oct. 30, 2019; his parents; brother Darrel Ehlers; a grandson Dylan Ehlers; a granddaughter Cassidy Cook; a son-in-law Morgan Cook; brother and sister-in-law Ray "Mac" and Teresa McLaughlin; brother-in-law John Fosheim; and great nephew Brennan Ehlers.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association at http://www.alz.org.

Arrangements by Rush Funeral Home, Philip, S.D.