Donald J. “Don” Ehli, 84, Dickinson, died Saturday, October 20, 2012 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Don’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m, Friday, October 26, 2012 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Dickinson, with The Rev. Marianne Ell presiding. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will follow the services at the church and be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue at the church on Friday one hour prior to services. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Lay Minister Mary Massad presiding.
Donald J. Ehli was born August 31, 1928 in Dickinson, the son of Martin and Mathilda (Segmiller) Ehli. He was a lifelong resident of Dickinson where he attended grade school at St. Joseph’s Elementary, and completed his high school degree (GED) while in the service. Don was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Ktytor, on November 24, 1947 in Dickinson.
Don had served honorably in the North Dakota National Guard during the Korean Conflict, discharged on February 8, 1952, with the rank of Master Sergeant. He returned to Dickinson where he worked for a time as a carpenter, Sweet Heart Bakery (supplying small town stores), as a Dickinson Police Officer from 1959 to 1973, and appointed as the Chief from 1969 to 1973. He went to work as a truck driver for Fisher Sand and Gravel in 1976, while also managing the St. Ben’s Apartment’s, retiring in 1998.
He belonged to the Eagle’s, the North Dakota Peace Officer’s Assoc., and St. John’s Episcopal Church. He enjoyed yard work, fishing, hunting, trips to Four Bears and Prairie Knights with his wife and going for coffee with his buddies where they sorted out local, national and world problems. Don was dedicated to the care of his wife during her final illness, and Betty died on December 8, 2007.
Don is survived by his son, Don Ehli, Dickinson; cousins, Elaine (Carroll) Hungate, and Lavonne “Sis” (Robert) Sticka; several nieces and nephews; and also Survi, his 17 pound Seal Point Siamese cat. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; brothers; sister; and a niece.
