David L. Ehlert

David L. Ehlert, 94 was rescued into the arms of Jesus from complications of Parkinson’s Disease on March 19, 2025. Born September 7, 1930 to his loving parents, William and Myrtle Ehlert, in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Dave was a loving big brother to his sister, Marjorie Hense, who passed last May. His beloved wife, Doris, of 67 years predeceased him in 2021. They met in the nursery in church and were hard-working, life-long partners building careers and a family and ultimately enjoying a wonderful retirement as snowbirds between Pinellas Park/Cape Coral, Florida and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Dave graduated from West Allis Central High School in 1948 and went on to receive two Engineering degrees (mechanical and electrical) from Marquette University in 1952 and 1962. Dave applied these degrees for 39 years at Allis Chalmers, where he worked in 27 countries designing, selling, building and starting up iron ore pellet plants using the grate kiln system and his own innovation the hydraulic reciprocal conveyor. His plants still operate in the US today across the Mesabi and Marquette iron ranges (Minntac, Tilden, Eveleth) and around the world (Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Liberia, China, Peru, Sweden) to support the steel making and cement industries. His travels continued with Doris in retirement and he ultimately visited well over 80 countries on hundreds of trips in the US and internationally. When asked what his favorite country was, he consistently said the United States.

Dave was a dedicated father, despite his worldwide work travels, supporting his family in church/faith activities, Scouts, Indian Guides, family and friends camping trips, summers at the family cabins in Lake Mills/Neshkoro, soap box and pinewood derby cars (design and building) and music lessons which he modeled through his lifelong use of his piano and organ skills and membership in church choirs. Dave was the original “Mr. Fix-It” and could fix most anything. Some called it “luck” but Dave considered it “skill”. Duct tape was a staple for Dave along with his electric meter and a slide rule, solving complicated and simple problems for family, friends and neighbors. When faced with adversity he always found a way to get through the situation and as a man of God explained his good fortune by stating “The Lord protects the dumb and foolish.” A lifelong Lutheran, Dave served the church in many capacities of leadership and behind the scenes. He was strong in his principles and lived out his faith in his worldwide travels-from bringing Bibles in the Soviet Union in the 70’s, and leaving his personal Bible in a remote area with a curious seeker to asking others “Do you know God?”. Dave enjoyed the fellowship and philanthropic activities of the Masonic Lodge West Allis #291, Tripoli Shrine and the Scottish Rite. He and Doris were also charitably generous to Marquette University, Carthage College, Shorehaven, their various church memberships over the years and research organizations for Parkinson’s and Pancreatic cancer.

Dave and Doris enjoyed many wonderful friendships over the years in WI and FL and he stayed particularly close with his cousins and friends/family who were able to visit Dave in recent years, particularly two of his loving nephews, Jon Prill and Steven (Kari) Hense, cousins Judy, Don and Rose and friends Werner and Jackie Bayer. Dave’s long life can be attributed to the 67 loving years with Doris and living in the Shorehaven community for the past 8 years. The staff at Shorehaven loved and cared for Dave exceptionally well, mutually considering each other to be family.

Dave is survived by his children Keith (Jane), Karen (Greg) Mrachek and Gregg (Kim), 5 grandchildren (Jessica, Melissa, Kayla, Courtney and Alex), 9 great grandchildren (Grace, Quintin, Olivia, Adelaide, Greyson, Amelia, Ashton, Jameson, and Lyla), and his cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Donations appreciated to Shorehaven (Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc).

Visitation: Tuesday, March 25, 9:00 to 11:00am. Service: 11:00am with Rev. Nick Slater, Shorehaven chaplain officiating at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (NEW LOCATION: 2228 Silver Maple Ln, Oconomowoc, WI 53066). Burial at Arlington Park Cemetery. Dave had many faithful and loving family, friends, caregivers, aides, nurses and doctors on his journey for which he is eternally grateful.