Surnames: Ehlert, Hackbarth,Bloedel, Siekert, Rusch, Polansky, Mark, Arnold, McKenzie

----Sources: Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, Marathon County, Wis.) 1 May 2005

Ehlert, Laird Charles (17 March 1926 - 30 April 2005)

Laird Charles Ehlert, 79, Wausau, died Saturday, April 30, 2005, at his daughter's home in Thorp.

He served in the U.S. Army, a veteran of World War II. Laird served as principal and teacher at St. Mark's Lutheran School, and at D.C. Everest Middle School until his retirement in 1996.

Survivors include his children, Brenda (Jim) Hackbarth, Thorp, Laird Mark Ehlert, Jersey City, N.J.; and Dr. Tamara (Don Arnold) Ehlert, St. Louis; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Ardelle (Carl) Bloedel, Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Joy (Leonard) Siekert, Wisconsin Rapids; and his brothers, Emil (Betty) Ehlert, Wisconsin Rapids, and David Ehlert of Atlanta.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church, Wausau. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials May be made to the Christian charity of your choice.

----Sources: Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, Marathon County, Wis.) Mon., 2 May 2005

Laird C. Ehlert

Laird Charles Ehlert of Wausau entered eternal rest Saturday, April 30, 2005, at the home of his daughter, Brenda Hackbarth, in Thorp. He was 79.

Laird was born in the town of Reseburg, Thorp on March 17, 1926, the oldest child of the late Minnie (Rusch) and Emil Ehlert. He grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, where he helped in his parents' grocery store and attended school. After graduating from Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School in 1944, he enlisted in the Army and served two years in the Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Laird worked his way through college at Concordia-River Forest Teacher's College, where he obtained a master's degree in education.

Laird married Doris Polansky on June 11, 1950. After their marriage, he accepted a call to Altamont, Ill., where he taught for six years. While living in Illinois, they welcomed to the family a daughter, Brenda, and a son, Laird Mark. In 1956, Laird and Doris moved their young family to Wausau, where Laird served as principal and teacher at St. Mark's Lutheran School. Another daughter, Tamara, was added to the family. In 1969, Laird began teaching English at D.C. Everest Middle School until his retirement in 1996. In addition to teaching, he enjoyed coaching the intramural softball teams.

Throughout his life, Laird actively took part in Veterans of Foreign Wars fair activities, church choir including directing the men's chorus, and various Bible study groups. He enjoyed visiting homebound and elderly members of the congregation, first at Rib Mountain Lutheran and later at Christ Lutheran Church, both in Wausau. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, woodworker and reader, and especially enjoyed reading to the children at Little Lambs Daycare. Laird was well-known for his steadfast faith in God, his love of teaching, and his dry sense of humor.

He is survived by his children, Brenda (Jim) Hackbarth of Thorp, Laird Mark of Jersey City, N.J., and Dr. Tamara (Don Arnold) Ehlert, St. Louis; as well as seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Ardelle (Carl) Bloedel, Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Joy (Leonard) Siekert, Wisconsin Rapids; and his brothers, Emil (Betty) Ehlert of Wisconsin Rapids and David Ehlert of Atlanta. Laird was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, who died in 1995.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at Christ Lutheran Church in Wausau. The Rev. Patrick McKenzie will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Wausau. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, May 2, 2005, at Helke Funeral Home in Wausau, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Christian charity of your choice.

You May sign the family guest book at http://www.helke.com.

Responses

Re: Obit: Ehlert, Laird Charles (1926 - 2005)

Transcriber: Brenda Hackbarth
Email: jhackdesign@yahoo.com