Ehler

Elgean “Gene” Ehler, 85, of La Grange, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Gene was born in Freyburg on Dec. 25, 1931, the son of Reinhold and Edna (Loth) Ehler. He was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Freyburg Lutheran Church. Gene was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served two years and was stationed at Youngstown, N.Y. After his release, he married the love of his life Shirley Rabe, of La Grange on Feb. 20, 1955 at Swiss Alp Lutheran Church. They moved to Houston and after 25 years returned to La Grange where he worked and retired from Brown Distributing in 1996. Gene loved people and working at Brown gave him the opportunity to meet many. He never met a stranger. Gene was an active member of the Lutheran Church serving on the Council and many areas within the church. He loved wood working and made many family keepsakes. His other passion was dancing. He and Shirley were long time members of the Swiss Alp Dance Club. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Rabe Ehler; son, David Ehler and wife, Loretta, of Schulenburg; daughter, Cathy Bailey and husband, Jerry, of La Grange; son, Randy Ehler and wife, Randee, of Cedar Creek; sister, Joyce Velasquez of Flatonia; brother-in-law, James Rabe and wife, Mary Kay, of Cuero; five grandchildren: Jennifer Larsen, Amy Roman, Dave Ehler, Nik Shipes, and Jason Ehler; nine great-grandchildren: Noah Ehler, Emma Ehler, Jace Roman, Ryan Larsen, Jonah Ehler, Bella Roman, Ellie Ehler, Brenlie Roman, and Austin Ehler; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents, Clarence and Delta Rabe; and brother-in-law, Dan Velasquez. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. A prayer service will follow at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 427 S. Washington St. in La Grange, at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. Burial will follow at La Grange City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Central Texas Office, 9430 Research Blvd., Bldg. 2 #150, Austin, Texas 78759 (www.diabetes.org) or St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 567, La Grange, Texas 78945. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.