Funeral Service TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2005, 10:30 AM ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA
Officiating REVEREND PATRICK SPARLING
Words From The Family KIM JOENS
Congregational Hymns "THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD" "O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL" "AMAZING GRACE"

FERN JENSEN, ORGANIST
Casket Bearers: KIM JOENS, RUSSELL JOENS, CRYSTAL DAVIS, ANDREA HOFFMEIER, ERICKA IRLBECK, MICHAELA SANDER, BRIDGET EHLERS, JASON EHLERS, ASHLEY EHLERS, AMBER EHLERS
Interment MANNING CEMETERY, MANNING, IOWA

The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word and deed, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at church following the committal service.

Raymond Alvin, son of Emil C. and Ella T. (Wegner) Ehlers, was born September 6, 1921, on the family farm southwest of Manning, Iowa. As a youth, Ray attended Lutheran Sunday School in Aspinwall. He attended school in Manning and graduated with the Class of 1937. Ray then worked on the family farm.

On April 26, 1942, Ray was united in marriage with Phylis R. Dalgety at Papillion, Nebraska. Four children were born to this union. Ray and Phylis made their home on the family farm and lived there for 55 years before moving into Manning in 1997.

Ray served as President of the West Central Iowa Rural Water Association and the State Rural Water Association. He was on the Manning Community School Board when the new school was built. Ray was involved with the original planning for Life Line in Manning and was a member of the Aspinwall Centennial Board. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing.

When Ray's health began to fail he was able to remain at home until late in 2005 when he became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home. He died there on Sunday, December 18, 2005, at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 12 days.

Preceding Ray in death are his parents and a granddaughter Cheryl Ehlers, in infancy.

Ray is survived by his wife Phylis Ehlers of Manning; four children: Annette Joens and husband Roger of Harvest, Alabama; Allen Ehlers and wife Becki of Manning; Charles Ehlers and wife Nadine of Manning; and Robert Ehlers and wife Brenda of Manning; ten grandchildren: Kim Joens; Russell Joens and wife Casie; Crystal Davis; Andrea and husband Josh Hoffmeier; Ericka and husband Alan Irlbeck; Michaela and husband Scott Sander; Bridget Ehlers; Jason Ehlers; Ashley Ehlers and Amber Ehlers; eight great-grandchildren: Teah, Takoda and Takara Hoffmeier; Elizabeth and Matthew Joens; Paige Davis and Brianna and Devyn Sander; two brothers Leman Ehlers of Manning and Kenneth Ehlers of Bedford; other relatives and friends.