Olaf H. Ehlers

Olaf Henry Ehlers, 86, Stockton, passed away in his home on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, following a long history of heart disease.

Olaf was born on April 29, 1930, in Cole Camp, to John Cord and Lillie (Schnakenberg) Ehlers. He was one of eight children born to this union. His childhood was spent on a farm in Cole Camp. As a young adult, he worked on a farm in Blackburn, MO, where he met the love of his life, Lola Frances Lemen.

Olaf and Lola were married on July 25, 1951, at her parents’ house in Blackburn. They began their life together in Blue Springs, where he worked at Adams Dairy, Borden Dairy, and Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2016.

Olaf’s passion for farming led them to relocate in 1956 to the Stockton area, where they established a dairy farm and raised their seven children. He was  proud to have served as a member of NFO and Vanguard Milk Producers for a number of years. In his final days, Olaf was determined to be at home with his family. He left this world peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.

Olaf knew the value of hard work and instilled this in his children. He was a man of integrity who had an unshakable faith in God and a strong love of family. He relished the many friends he made within the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Rufus Ehlers and Eldon Ehlers; sister, Elda Mae Holmgren; brothers-in-law – Rheinart Brandt, Tom Engle, and Charles Holmgren; sister-in-law, Mildred Ehlers; and son-in-law, Jim Thompson.

Survivors include his wife, Lola Ehlers, of the home; his seven children – Gloria Keith and husband, Robert – Seneca, Rita Thompson – El Dorado Springs, Connie Bartlett and husband, Jerry, – Olathe, KS, Stanley Ehlers and wife, Jenean – Stockton, Phillip Ehlers – El Dorado Springs, Kathy Bradley and husband, Lance – El Dorado Springs; and David Ehlers and wife, Danita – El Dorado Springs; grandchildren – Karina Cole and husband, Jon – Neosho, Stasia Whitaker and husband, Zach – Stockton, Jenny Reynolds and husband, Derrick – Colorado Springs, CO, Serena Hicks and husband, Robert – El Dorado Springs, Suzannah Phillips and husband, Jim – Fair Play, Jordan Ehlers and wife, Khrystel – El Dorado Springs, Seth Ehlers and wife, Jamie – El Dorado Springs, and Brooke and Grant Ehlers – El Dorado Springs; great-grandchildren -Sophie Huffman, Kiersyn and Finnegan Reynolds, Gabriel Whitaker, McKenzie and Stanton Ehlers, Dalton and Piper Hicks, Carson Ehlers and Maggie Phillips; Olaf’s siblings – Irene Brandt – Altoona, IA, Idella Engle – Pleasant Hill; Elmer Ehlers and wife, Carolyn – Loveland, CO; and Walter Lee Ehlers and wife, Verna Mae – Warsaw; and sister-in-law, Wanda Ehlers – Overland Park, KS. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Services for Olaf Ehlers were held on Sunday, Jan. 22, in Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. Brent Bland and John Koch officiated. Interment followed in Wright Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Jon Cole, Seth Ehlers, Derrick Reynolds, Zach Whitaker, Jim Phillips and Robert Hicks.

Memorial donations may be made to Filley Christian Church and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.