Richard J. Ehli, “Dick”, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa”, 89 of Circle, went to his final home on June 24, 2015 while at the McCone County Health Center.
Dick was born May 26, 1926 to Rapheal J. and Mathilda Tillye (Koch) Ehli in Dickinson, North Dakota. He is the last of seven children. Dick graduated from St. Joseph’s grade school in 1939. As a young boy he participated in Boy Scouts, earned his Eagle Scout badge, and was a Junior Councilor for Order of the Arrow. He attended Dickinson Central High School and graduated in 1943. After graduation, he moved to Mansfield, Ohio to work at the Ohio Boxes Company as a lathe operator until returning to Dickinson in April 1944 to register for the Draft. Dick was inducted into the Army Air Force in July of 1944, he went to Basic Training at Burkley Field, CO, Armorer School at Lowery Field, CO, and aerial Gunnery School in Las Vegas, NV. Dick left the states for active duty in the Philippines until his discharge on October 20, 1948. He worked for Northern Pacific Railway while attending college at Dickinson State from 1949 to 1952. In May of 1950, Dick married Agnes Hauck and to this union, 5 children were born (Diana, Jer, Ken, Ron and Cheryll). Dick started teaching Business Education and Typing at Circle High School in 1955. Dick and Agnes divorced in 1961. Dick married Hazel (Wilhelm) Freitag in 1965. Dick and Hazel lived in Circle, enjoyed gardening, mail route, etc. Dick retired from Circle High School in 1986. Hazel passed away in 2006.
He was a life member of the VFW Post #4813 in Circle, Wolf Point Elks #1764 and North American Hunting Club.
Dick survived by his 5 children, Diane (Warren) of Homestead, MT, Jer (Patty) of Missoula, MT, Ken (Susy) of Circle, MT, Ron (Laura) and Cheryll “Putsy” (Tony) of Hamilton, MT, one step daughter, Joyce (Pete) of Spearfish, SD, ten Grandchildren, sixteen Great-Grandchildren.
Family will receive friends on Friday, July 24, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle followed by a Vigil Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a local organization of your choice in memory of Dick.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Circle, MT
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 25, 2015
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Circle, MT
Interment with Full Military Honors
following funeral
Saturday July 25, 2015
Riverview Cemetery
Circle, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Circle, MT
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 25, 2015
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Circle, MT
Interment with Full Military Honors
following funeral
Saturday July 25, 2015
Riverview Cemetery
Circle, MT
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Janet Winhofer/Irene Rittal says
Please accept our sincere regards in the loss of Dick. We will keep you all in prayer. We enjoyed corresponding with him over the years at Christmas time. So glad we stopped a few years back to visit with him. Those will be moments to treasure.
God Bless!
Harvey and Trudy Kirkegard says
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Dick. Our thoughts and prayers going out to the family and friends. We both enjoyed having him as our typing teacher for years, as well as having him as a close neighbor when we lived in Circle. May he now rest in peace. God bless you all!
Tom and Brenda Atkinson says
I remember Dick, taking Ken, Blaine, (I think) and myself to the cub scout jamboree in Glendive. He was also my typing teacher, and study hall faculty person. I still laugh at his response to someone whistling in study hall one morning. “Would the person who had the bird seed for breakfast,………….shut up!” May the Ehli family enjoy the memories, and may God’s presence comfort you in this time of loss.
Carol and Gene Markuson says
We were sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. He will be missed by friends and family. God Bless.
Candy Austby says
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ehli’s family. I knew him as a patient in Glendive and always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed by many. May you enjoy the memories and take comfort in the Lord.
Bev Alberg says
Diane and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. We were friends for a short time in high school when you lived in Glendive and I think of you often. May Jesus hold you close at this time of sorrow.
Emmie Loberg & family says
Our thoughts & prayers are with you today. What a guy Dick was. I will miss our great visits when he dropped off large print books for the library. Ten of them every other month. I also had him for a teacher & Laurie Geer & I caused a little trouble now & then but “Mr. Ehli” kept us under control. He will truly be missed but as Ken & Suzy told our family we have all our good memories. May God bless & keep you in His arms.
Deanna Brown Lardy and Matt Lardy says
Dear Family: We are sorry to learn about Dick’s passing. Deanna is a cousin to Dick (Richard), Her mother, Bertha Koch Brown, was a sister to Dick’s mother Mathilda Koch. There are not many first cousins left in the Koch lineage. Deanna has a picture of Dick with his cousins when they were at her folks ranch north of Sentinel Butte,ND. Matt was a freshman at Dickinson State when Dick was a senior. We extend to Dick’s family our heartfelt sympathy.
Deanna Brown Lardy and Matt Lardy