Roger William Ehlers

WINONARoger William Ehlers, 85, of Winona, died Monday July 8, 2013 at Adith Miller Manor. Roger was born, March 16, 1928 in Winona to William and Emma (Bergler) Ehlers. He graduated from Winona High School in 1946. On August 14, 1948, Roger was united in marriage to Antonia 'Anne' Tsatsos at their home in Winona. Roger and Anne ran a successful dairy farm for many years, raised their champion Appaloosa horses, and ran a boarding stable. Roger also worked for a time for Harvestor, Lake Center Industries, and Minnesota City Bus Company. Roger was a dedicated lifelong member of the Winona Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses where he served as an elder. Roger was a devoted husband, caring brother, loving father to his five daughters, and 2nd father to his nieces and nephews. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed having scripture quizzes with them as well as vacationing and spending time with them at home. He shared a very special inseparable bond with his wife for over 63 years. His 'Annie' was the love of his life and his closest companion. He loved driving through the wooded pasturelands where he grew up in his Willy's Jeep and many friends and family members enjoyed the thrill of one of his jeep rides. Roger was also a talented musician and performed locally with the Dixie Five Band, playing bass, steel guitar, Hawaiian guitar, and violin for many years. Roger was a cowboy at heart and loved traveling west with his lovely wife, Anne, to one of their favorite spots in Jackson Hole, WY.Roger is survived by; 5 daughters, Roxy (Ron) Abraham of Winona, Diana Tieben of Nodine, Renee (Phil) Harkness of Altura, Billie (Steve) Rudnik of Winona, and Cindy (Bruce) Joslyn of Winona; 8 grandchildren, Ramie Abraham, Verissa (Jason) Jonsgaard, Joshua (Becky) Hamit, Lacy (Jasen) Squires, Nick Rudnik, Minta (Matt) Kroeger, Courtney (Vassil Vutov) Vutova, and Kai (Jessica) Joslyn; 5 great-grandchildren and one on the way; several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his wife, Antonia; parents, William and Emma Ehlers; sister, Betty Jane Emma (Ehlers) Kroner; brother-in-law, Eugene Otto Kroner; grandson, Ty Tieben; son-in-law, Richard 'Dick' Tieben. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. Friday July 12, 2013, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 161 Whitten Street, Winona. Interment will take place at a later date. A reception will follow at the Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview.Please share a memory of Roger with his family, sign the online guestbook, and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/410689