Verlyn Ehlers

VISITATION:

4-6 p.m., Monday, December 26 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and

from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, December 27 at Zion Lutheran Church, 110 E. Grand Ave., Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Tuesday, December 27 at Zion Lutheran Church, 110 E. Grand Ave., Chippewa Falls

Verlyn R. "Spike" Ehlers, 86, of Chippewa Falls, died peacefully on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the Chippewa Manor while under the care of St. Joseph's Hospice.

He was born December 13, 1930 in Chippewa Falls to Herman and Meta (Polzin) Ehlers. He grew up on a farm in Eagle Point near Jim Falls. He attended Popple Lake School, a one room country school. He graduated from Chi-Hi in 1948, and from Coyne Electrical School of Chicago in 1949. Spike enlisted in the US Navy and served four years during the Korean War, serving aboard a submarine tender. In 2015, Spike was invited and proudly went on the Honor Freedom Flight to Washington D.C.

He married his high school sweetheart, Joann Augustine on May 19, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. Spike worked for Northern States Power Co. for 39 years, retiring in 1988. He was a member of the USS Fulton (AS-11) association. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving as vice president, elder, stewardship board, and for many years, was church treasurer. He enjoyed gardening, and cheering on the Packers and Badgers.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 65 years, Joann of Chippewa Falls; three children, Kathy Ehlers of Eau Claire, Julie (Ivan) Fercho of Lakeville, Minn., David (Michelle) Ehlers of Savage, Minn.; grandchildren, Haylie (Matthew) Schmit of Madison, Lauren Ehlers of Washington D.C., Nick and Drew Ehlers, both of Savage, Minn.; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Erma Matske, Helen Severn, and Nyla Krienke.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 27 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls with Rev. Charles Yunghans officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow the service at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

A visitation will be held form 4-6 p.m., Monday, December 26 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Spike's honor may go to Zion Lutheran Church.