John G. (Bud) Ehler, 91 passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at his home in Holstein, Iowa.
John was born February 22, 1922 in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was the son of John A. and Lillian (Johannsen) Ehler. After attending the Ida Gove school, he joined the National Guard Unit (Red Bulls, 34-ID) of Ida Grove, Iowa. On February 10, 1941, his group of 52 men enlisted in the U.S. Army. John spent 3 ½ years overseas with the 53rd Medical Battalion seeing action in Normandy, France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was discharged after the war on August 17, 1945. Of the 52 men that left with the National Guard, 52 men returned. In addition to other medals & awards, one of his proudest moments was a salute from General John C.H. Lee for building a casualty-carrier attachment out of salvage material which led to saving additional lives.
John married Doris Mae Hermecke of Holstein, Iowa on May 19, 1946. John and Doris had 5 children. They were married for 58 years. Doris passed away on January 12, 2005.
John was first associated with his father-in-law at Morningside Oil Co in Holstein. He also worked for Ford Motor Company in Holstein as a mechanic. He owned and operated the Mobil Tank Wagon and Ehler Digging & Construction for some years. For 17 years, he owned & operated Holstein Sanitation serving the towns of Holstein and Galva, Iowa until his retirement. After retirement his favorite job was working part time for Vohs & Miller.
John also spent 30 years with the Holstein Hose Co. #1, serving in most every office and many of those years were as Chief.
He is survived by his 5 children, David J. Ehler and wife Judy, Daniel A. Ehler and wife Mindy, Terri S. Georg and husband John, all of Holstein, IA. Kim M. Carnine and husband Bill of Ida Grove, IA, and Suzie E. Tolzin and fiancé Scott Hurley of Sioux Falls, SD. John was blessed with 11 grandchildren: Shawn Regennitter and husband Brian, Sara Ehler, Eric Ehler, Jason Ehler and wife Jeanne, Katie Ehler and fiancé Tommy Dockery, Jennifer Downs and husband Brett, Jon Georg and wife Lonnie, Justin Georg and wife Val, Billy Carnine and special friend Laura Walter, Micah Tolzin and Libby Tolzin Mertz. Great grandchildren: Tanner Regennitter, Bebe Ehler; Mattea Ehler, Jordan Draper, Luke and Alexis Downs, Blake and Trey Georg, Laney Georg, Ruby and Reese Klinger, Olivia and Amelia Mertz; his sister Elaine Sahl of Minot, ND and brother DeWayne Ehler and wife Marilyn of Ankeny, IA; sister-in-law Dorothy (Tom) Ward of Mesa, AZ and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris, his sister Irene Geerdes, sister-in-law Loraine (Sellman) Beyer and great grandchild Jocelyn Draper.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church Gifts & Memorials.
Visitation:
Thee will be no visitation. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein is in charge of arrangements.
Burial:
Burial will be at a later date at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein
Memorial:
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein with the Rev. Curtis E. Benson officiating and military rites conducted by the American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 of Holstein
Saturday, April 13th, 2013
10:30am