Elaine May Ehlers
April 12, 1931 – January 16, 2025
Elaine May Ehlers was born April 12, 1931, in Kingsley, Iowa. She was the daughter of Emil J. Reinking and Elsie (Puttmann) Reinking. She attended Salem Lutheran Church in Correctionville, Iowa, where she was baptized on May 24, 1931, and confirmed April 14, 1946. She attended rural country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1948. Elaine pursued a degree in education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, graduating in 1952. After graduation, she taught first grade at Irving School in Waverly from 1952-1954. On June 1, 1954, she married Raymond D. Ehlers, who she met while attending Wartburg College. They were married at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. The couple was blessed with three children: Deborah, Richard, and Rebecca. Throughout their marriage they served several Lutheran parishes in Hedrick, IA; Hildreth, NE; Nashua, IA; Ellsworth, IA; Monona, IA; and State Center, IA. From the beginning of their marriage, they always planned to return to Waverly in retirement which they did in 1991. While in Waverly they enjoyed doing things with their friends and neighbors, activities at the college, and walk and talk group. They were active in their church, Redeemer Lutheran. In retirement, Elaine worked for a time at CUNA Mutual. Elaine relocated to Ankeny, Iowa, in 2013 to be closer to family. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Elaine had many interests which included sewing, knitting, and gardening. Everywhere they lived you would find a beautiful flower garden. She sewed curtains for people, upholstered furniture, and taught knitting classes. Elaine was always ready to put on a cup of coffee and had coffee cakes, sweet rolls, and cookies ready to serve anyone who came to visit. Her greatest joy was time spent with family. She especially loved attending activities of her grandchildren whether it be a concert, sports event, confirmation, graduation, wedding, etc. Elaine loved being a great grandmother.
Elaine is survived by her daughter, Deborah (John) Sloan of Boise, Idaho; her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Ehlers of Park City, Utah; her daughter, Rebecca (Terry) Neal, Ankeny, IA; grandchildren Elizabeth (Dan) Kozminski, Christina (Andrew) Sloan-Heggan, Haley Ehlers, Jaron Ehlers, Haley Neal, Cole Whitaker, Adam Neal, Riley Whitaker, and Noah Neal; great-grandchildren Luke Kozminski, Mark Kozminski, and Philippa Heggan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, and son, Richard.