John Hans Ehlers (1871-1932)

EHLERS, GAUDIAN, THORNS, KOCH

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 2, 1871, at Telllngstedt, Schlesweig-Holstein. He was baptized and confirmed In the Lutheran church of his native land.

At the age of eighteen he came to America and lived at Peterson, Iowa. Later he lived at Calumet and Sutherland, also several years in South Dakota. For the post several years he made his home here in Paullina.

June 22, 1900 he was united in wedlock with Miss Bertha Gaudian by Rev C. D. Nuoffer of the Mill Creek church. Two daughters were born to this union, Clara and Lillian, both married and living with their families in South Dakota.

As Mr. Ehlers lived near the railroad track on the Henry Strampe farm east of town it was his custom to go to town along the tracks. This he did Wednesday, October 12th, just before noon. The local passenger train caught him about a hundred yards east of Main street and instant death was the result.

Funeral services were conducted from the Lutheran church by the pastor, J Hartmeister, on Friday, October 14, and interment was made In Prairie View cemetery.

The two daughters from South Dakota and many relatives and friends attended the funeral rites. He is also survived by his mother Mrs. Margaret Ehlers, age 83 years, of Slayton, Minn., and his brothers and sisters Claus Ehlers of Sioux Falls, S. V., Peter, Herman, Henry, and Mrs. Amanda Koch, all of Slayton. Minn., and Mrs. Margaret Thorns, of Calumet, Iowa. A quartet under the direction of E. B. Koester sang two appropriate songs in church. The congregation sang, "Who Knows How Near My End May Be," No. 544 In the hymnal.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 20 Oct 1932, p5