Melvin Ehlert

Melvin G. Ehlert, age 93 of Sartell and a longtime resident of Sauk Centre died Monday, April 17, 2017 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, Minnesota surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22nd at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Tim Wenzel officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Melvin George Ehlert was born June 2, 1923, the son of John W. and Mary "Maymie" (Laing) Ehlert in Doran (Wilken County), Minnesota. He attended three country schools through his 8th grade education. He was proud to complete his high school education in Melrose in 1943. On October 3, 1944, he was united in marriage to Helen M. Borgerding at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. In the summer of 1944, Mel started his long term working relationship with Gambles Stores. In January 1958, Mel opened Ehlert Gambles Store in Sauk Centre which he owned and operated until April 1977. Melvin then became a life insurance agent for Catholic Aid Association, now Catholic United Financial where he worked till his retirement in 1988. During his retirement, he enjoyed collecting Gambles memorabilia and hand-crafting vintage farm equipment.

Mel was proud to serve his community in Sauk Centre. He was a member of the Sauk Centre Seniors, Sauk Centre Chamber of Commerce, a member of the City Council serving 2 terms; a 12-year member of St. Michael's Hospital Board, Sauk Centre Lions Club where he was a member for 60 years, Sauk Centre Historical Society, and a charter member of the Sinclair Lewis Eagles Club.

Melvin was a member of Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. He served two terms as trustee, a past usher, a Eucharist Minister and lecturer. He was also a charter member of the Bishop Busch Council of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Queen of Peace Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his children, John Ehlert of Sarasota, Florida, Ruth (Al) Meyer of Coon Rapids, Lois (Rick) Prow of Prescott, Arizona, Dennis (Barb) Ehlert of Ham Lake, Daniel (Karen) Ehlert of Sauk Rapids, Mark (Diane) Ehlert of Sartell, Kathryn (Richard) Waller of Auburn, Maine, Donald (Sandy) Ehlert of Apple Valley, Patricia (Bill) Ehlert-Abler of Arcata, California, Joyce (Curt) Sorenson of Sartell, and Bonnie Ehlert of Lincoln, Nebraska; 26 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; brother, James H. Ehlert of Minneapolis; sister-in-law, Lorraine Borgerding and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Helen on August 3, 2010; son, Ralph Ehlert on November 15, 2002; parents; brothers and sisters, Juletta Obermiller, Walter J. Ehlert, Hilerion "Larry" Ehlert, Geraldine "Tootie" Elfering and Cyril H. Ehlert.