Doris K. Ehlert

Doris K. Ehlert (Prill), 89 was rescued into the arms of Jesus from her journey with pancreatic cancer on December 1, 2021. Born May 4, 1932 (she loved giving her birthdate with a smile 5-4-3-2) to her loving parents Edward and Alice Prill in their home in West Allis, WI. She was the “middle child” outliving her older sister, Lois Alton, and younger brother Edward Jr. (Ruth Ann), in addition to her parents. Doris was gifted academically which was recognized at a young age and as a result she was graduated early from West Allis Central High School in the winter class of 1950 and then worked at Wisconsin Motor as an executive assistant to the Sales Manager to save money for college. She then went to Carthage College for a year to study parish work in response to her love for Jesus and his Church. Finances were tight so she then worked at Inland Steel Products as administrative support for Labor Relations and Sales and her studies were put to the side. Doris continued to be a fountain of knowledge to many over the years. She was a ardent researcher and reader on all subjects long before there was a “google” and had many of her own household inventions, improving on various devices and methods of doing things. She was a devoted fan of Jeopardy even through her final weeks answering many questions. In 1954, she and her one true love, David, began their 67 year journey in marriage. They met many years earlier starting in the nursery at church as infants and grew up in the church together over the years. Doris waited patiently knowing Dave was the one and ultimately he realized she was the one and they truly did live happily ever after through the usual set of challenges in this world. They were faithful to each other whether near or far and still kissed and held hands to her final minutes. Doris was a snowbird from West Allis/Oconomowoc WI to Pinellas Park/Cape Coral FL since 1991 when she retired from a career in civil service supporting West Milwaukee High School, WCTC, City of West Allis Health Department and West Allis City Hall. But her true passion was complete household management (as her beloved David worked worldwide) raising her three children. In retirement Doris and Dave really enjoyed traveling the world which included at least one or two annual exotic trips per year. Ultimately Doris traveled to at least 55 countries. She considered the Galapagos her favorite spot she would like to return to in the world and Alaska in the US. Stateside her passions included: Vegetable gardening….feeding many mouths over the years with her abundant crops of beans, raspberries, kohlrabi, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, corn and the beloved cucumbers/pickles enjoyed by many. This included a twice weekly journey to The Springs near Neshkoro while still working (and while Dave was somewhere in the world) to weed, harvest and make careful records of the yield. She also delighted in the visits of her children/grandchildren who would eat their way through her five rows of raspberry bushes. Camping trips to Florida, New Orleans, Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone Park and the world’s fairs in Canada (Expo 67), Spokane (Expo 74) and Knoxville (1982). Choir….she and David were choir members in every church they attended in WI and FL, making life-long forever friends they will reunite with in choirs of heaven. Sewing, Cross-stitch and Crocheting…..afghans, baby blankets, lap blankets, mittens, scarves for all generations. Sewing included dressing the children with clothes, coats and special holiday outfits and Karen’s wedding party dresses, prom and other high school dance dresses. In their senior years they were the first couple to move into the newly built Lake Terrace-East Apartments at Shorehaven independent senior living in 2017. There they enjoyed their summer months dining with their new friends, over-looking beautiful Lac LaBelle. This past summer they moved to the “penthouse” in Shorehaven Tower with an even better view of the lake and some additional daily assistance. In FL in 2015 they moved to Cape Coral from Pinellas Park, just down the street from daughter Karen, and enjoyed a nice house in a quiet neighborhood with tropical winter weather and a new set of church friends at Christ Lutheran Church. Doris is survived by her husband, David; her sons, Keith (Jane) and Gregg (Kim); daughter, Karen (Greg); 5 grandchildren, Jessica, Melissa, Kayla, Courtney and Alex; and 8 great-grandchildren, Grace, Quintin, Olivia, Adelaide, Greyson, Amelia, Jameson and Lyla. Donations appreciated to: The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research; Shriners Hospitals for Children; Parkinson’s Foundation; or Shorehaven Foundation A visitation and viewing will be held at Pagenkopf Funeral Home in Oconomowoc (1165 E. Summit Avenue) on Thursday, Dec 9, 2021 from 11am-1pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Pagenkopf’s at 1:00 pm. with Rev. Nick Slater, Shorehaven chaplain officiating. A reception at Shorehaven-The Clubhouse (enter at Door 1 for screening) 1340 W Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc WI from 2:30-4:00 pm. Burial will be held at Arlington Park Cemetery (private service for family only). Doris had many faithful and loving family, friends, caregivers, aides, nurses and doctors on her journey for which she is eternally grateful.