Wilbert Ehlers

Wilbert Willis Ehlers, age 79, of Carroll and formerly of Arcadia passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 6, 2019 surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia with Pastor Ben Dose officiating.  Lector for the service will be Spencer Owen.  Organist for the service will be Rebecca Dose.  Casket bearers will be Jacob Berg, Ryan Schurke, Jeremy Ehlers, Marshall Owen, Derek Schurke, Dalton Ehlers, and Will Ragaller.  Burial will be in the Arcadia Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia from 5 – 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday evening.  Additional visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 – 10:15 A.M. on Thursday.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on February 28, 1940 in Carroll, IA, he was the son of Julius and Minnie (Wilfang) Ehlers.  Wilbert was the youngest of eight children and he grew up on his family’s farm south of Arcadia.  He attended grade school in Arcadia and graduated from Ar-We-Va High School in 1958.  Following high school, Wilbert farmed for a few years.  A faithful and hardworking man, Wilbert spent most of his adult years working for Badding Construction.  His love for building continued after hours, as he could never put his hammer or tape measure down.  He was married to Dorothea Elvira Meggers on August 9, 1959 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia by his brother Rev. Harvey Ehlers.  To this union, eight children were born: Allen, Debra, Diane, Darlys, Douglas, Dwight, Denise, and Donna.  Wilbert was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.  Wilbert’s wife Dorothea, of 49 years, passed away on October 22, 2008.  Wilbert was later married to Carolyn Dammann on June 2, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia by Pastor Ben Dose and Pastor Robert Riggert.  The couple made their home in Carroll until his death.  Wilbert enjoyed polka music, playing cards, family gatherings and attending his grandchildren’s events.  As a father and grandfather, he was known for his infamous quotes: “drive to arrive alive”, “plan your work and work your plan”, and “follow directions explicitly to the Nth degree”.

Wilbert is survived by his wife Carolyn Ehlers of Carroll; his children and families: Deb Owen of Arcadia, Diane Schurke (Mark) of Vail, Darlys Berg (Tom) of Owatonna, MN, Douglas Ehlers (Alison) of Westside, Dwight Ehlers (Melissa) of Arcadia, Denise Ragaller (Mark) of Vail, Donna Schurke (Darin) of Arcadia, and Shannon Honold (Cory) of Omaha; 23 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother Rev. Harvey Ehlers of Sauk Rapids, MN; two sisters-in-law: Lola Ehlers of Arcadia and Luetta Meggers of Blair, NE; and many nieces and nephews.

Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents Julius and Minnie Ehlers; his mother and father-in-law William and Elvira Meggers; two sisters: Ruth Novak and Dorothy Bernstrauch; four brothers: Elmer, Albert, Vernon, and Harold; a son-in-law Joel Owen; his wife Dorothea; and an infant son Allen.