EHRIG, Donald R. 1924-2014

EHRIG, RAUM, BYRNES, THORSBAKKEN, WRAGE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/18/2015 at 12:04:01

Donald Ralph Ehrig, 89, of Reinbeck, passed away into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 28th at 10:30 A.M. at the Amity United Presbyterian Church in rural Reinbeck. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 27th from 5 to 7 P.M. at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Grant Township Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Reinbeck American Legion Action Post #242. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Don was born on May 31, 1924, the eldest son of Ernest & Emma (Raum) Ehrig. Peter Byrnes later became his step-father. He graduated from Dinsdale High School and served as a radio operator in the United States Navy. He worked for many years at Moeller and Walter at the Dinsdale Elevator, later purchasing the business. On March 14, 1948, he was united in marriage to Jeanette Selma Thorsbakken of Story City. They became the parents of three children. Jeanette passed away in 1989. Betty Wrage then became his wife.

Don was a lifelong member of the Amity United Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Reinbeck American Legion Action Post #242. He was also a lifelong Cubs fan.

He is survived by his wife Betty; children Jon Ehrig of Marshalltown, IA Janice (Craig) Carpenter of Newton, IA and Lou Ann Ehrig of Grundy Center; grandsons Paul (Rhonda) Carpenter and Mike & Brian (Heather) Ehrig; 3 great-granddaughters Taylor Carpenter and Brenna & Kenzie Lanser; step-children Wayne (Doris) Wrage, Kathy (Ronn) Ross, Tim (Janice) Wrage & Valorie (Mark) Kruse; 2 brothers Jerry & Paul Ehrig.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Peter Byrnes; wife Jeanette; 2 sisters Dorothy Gunovich & Neva Petersen; step-sister Loretta Hanus. He deeply mourned the loss of his grandson Peter Carpenter, granddaughter Heather Wrage-Mitchell & great-grandson Gabe Ehrig.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)