Kathryn “Kathy” Marie Ehlers

Obituary

Kathryn “Kathy” Marie (Brelje) Ehlers was born on December 11, 1947, in Glencoe, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Raymond and Leone (Quast) Brelje.  Kathy was baptized as an infant on December 28, 1947, by Rev. A. R. Streufert and later was confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 26, 1961, by Rev. A. H. Fellwock both at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.  She received her education in Glencoe, Minnesota, graduating with the Glencoe High School Class of 1965.  Kathy furthered her education by graduating in 1969 from Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a teaching degree.

On June 28, 1969, Kathy was united in marriage to Jerome Ehlers by Rev. M. S. Pohl at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Kathy and Jerome made their home in Watertown and Green Isle, Minnesota, until 1971 when they moved to the farm in rural Glencoe.  Their marriage was blessed with three children, Julie, Jason and Jeremy.  Kathy and Jerome shared over 47 years of marriage.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Kathy was a teacher for one year in both Watertown and Green Isle and then from 1981-2014 was the English teacher at First Evangelical Lutheran School.  Kathy was a lifelong and active member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, where she served as President of the Altar Guild, was active as a choir director, was a bell ringer in the Gospel Ringers and a youth group advisor.  For many years she was the Assessor for Sibley County and also was a girls’ softball coach for First Evangelical Lutheran School and the 4H team. 

Kathy and Jerome loved sharing life together.  She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, reading, counted cross stitch, playing cards, solitaire, fishing and camping with the family especially in South Dakota and California.  She also loved the Minnesota Twins and music including Elvis and Neil Diamond as her favorites.  Kathy treasured the time spent with family and friends and would share herself by bringing food to others. 

Kathy passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, at the age of 68 years, 10 months and 9 days.  Blessed be her memory.

Kathy is survived by her:
Husband, Jerome Ehlers of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Julie Ehlers and her fiancé, Doug Mackenthun, of Arlington, MN,
Jason Ehlers and his wife, Charlene, of Jordan, MN,
Jeremy Ehlers and his wife, Karla, of Lakeville, MN;
Grandchildren, Jordan VanVickle of Hinckley, MN,
McKenzie Effertz of Arlington, MN,
Izzy Ehlers of Jordan, MN,
Carter, Gavin, Preston & Hudson Ehlers of Lakeville, MN;
Sisters, Judy Kirchoff and her husband, Hal, of Crosby, MN,
Bev Wall of Alexandria, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Cecilia Aikala and her husband, Bob, of Marquette, MI,
Sharon Papke of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Kathy is preceded in death by her Parents, Raymond and Leone Brelje; Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law, Elford and Mabel Ehlers; Brothers-In-Laws & Sisters-In-Law, Jeff Wall, Frank Papke, Aurelia Larson and her husband, Stanley, Jan Bruesehoff.