Funeral Service for Mildred Ann Ehlers was held Saturday, March 1, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning, Iowa. Reverend Marshall Brown of First Presbyterian Church in Manning officiated with Connie Siepker as organist. Interment was held in the Manning Cemetery in Manning, Iowa, with Bob Ehlers, Allen Ehlers, Chuck Ehlers, Gene Ehlers, Leland Bender, and Jerry Breidert as casketbearers.

Mildred Ann, daughter of Grant and Nellie (Winthouser) Bender, was born April 1, 1912, near Glidden, Iowa. She attended rural school near her home. After completing her education, she remained at home to keep house for her parents and help with farm work. Several years after her mother's death, Mildred moved to Carroll where she did housework for various families.

On March 3, 1946, Mildred was united in marriage with Leman Ehlers at Sioux City. One son was born to this union. The family started farming east of Manilla in 1948. Mildred was a homemaker, worked hard on the farm and raised a large vegetable garden. After Leman retired from farming in 1980, they remained on the farm until January of 1985 when they moved into Manning to a home they had purchased and redecorated the year before.

Mildred was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Manning. She was an active member of church circles and helped wherever and whenever needed.

Mildred's physical health remained strong, however, her mental health began to deteriorate and she became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in September of 1999. She died at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center early Thursday, February 27, 2003, at the age of 90 years, 10 months, and 26 days.

Preceding Mildred in death are her parents, sister Margaret Helms and two brothers Harold Bender and Bernard "Bub" Bender.

She is survived by her husband Leman Ehlers of the Manning Plaza; son Ronnie Ehlers of Manilla; sister Evelyn Blinn of Carroll; two sisters-in-law Eula Bender of Glidden and Dorothea Bender of Carroll; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.