Mary Ehlers

MARY DIANE EHLERS was born to Gustave and Alvina (Pint) Gits on June 2, 1937 in Slayton, Minnesota. On June 13, 1937, she was baptized at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton. She received her education in Slayton. After graduation from Slayton High School in 1955, she attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota for three years. She then attended Mankato State College in Mankato, Minnesota for one year. In 1959, she began teaching fourth grade in Winnebago, Minnesota until moving to Pipestone, Minnesota where she again taught fourth grade. On July 8, 1967, she was united in marriage to Donald Ehlers in Slayton. After their marriage, they made their home in Pipestone where she continued teaching until 1970 when she became a substitute teacher. In 1998, she retired from teaching. The couple continued living in Pipestone and enjoyed their retirement years. On Thursday, August 26, she was admitted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she died on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the age of 84 years, three months and six days.

Mary was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone where she was active in church circle and adult choir. She was also a member of Sagio Club. She volunteered at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. She liked reading, watching squirrels, and flowers, her favorite of which were roses. She loved dogs, especially beagles. She also enjoyed having a cup of coffee with friends.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Donald Ehlers of Pipestone; one son, Rick (Chiaki) Ehlers of Encino, California; one sister-in-law, Barbara Gits of Luverne, Minnesota; and three nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother- and father-in-law; one brother, Gordon Gits; and one nephew, Steve Gits.