Ehlert, Elton Robert 'Red'

Elton Robert “Red” Ehlert, 77, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the Woodlands of Meth-Wick following a long heroic battle.

He was born April 20, 1935, at Albert Lea, Minn., to Ruth and Orvel Ehlert and graduated in 1953 from Ellendale (Minnesota) High School, where he starred in many drama department productions and lettered in track, football, baseball and basketball. He set many school sporting records, one of which remained unbroken for several decades. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean War. He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Wilker, on Dec. 18, 1955, at Ellendale, Minn. He worked for many years for Great Plains Natural Gas, before settling the family down in Cedar Rapids and soon began a passionate career with Amana Refrigeration as a heating and cooling product training manager. He quickly became the “go to” person, day or night, to friends and family alike for advice and repairs. Red had a lifelong love for the great outdoors and sports, and was passionate about hunting, fishing, boating, camping, attending his grandchildren's sporting events and woodworking. If it was broken, he could fix it, and he was king of applying butterfly stitches to many a childhood wound.

He was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees over the years and found great friendship and comfort in the Men's Bible Study Club. He also was a member of V.F.W. Post 788.

He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Sandra; his children, Becki (R.J.) Banes of Toddville, and Steve (Joni) Ehlert and LaNette (Jim) Faaborg of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren; Corey (Vicky) Banes, Justin (Tracy) Ehlert, Josh (Leigh) Faaborg, Jillian Faaborg and Jordan Ehlert; and four great-grandchildren.

Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4700 Johnson Ave. NW, where visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to St. Mark's United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice.

Please leave a message for the family on the Web page under obituaries.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to many, but especially the Accredo staff, St. Luke's Hospital Rehabilitation Unit, VNA therapists, Dr. Ghosh and Dr. Hanawalt.

Published in The Gazette May 22, 2012.