Sharon K. Ehlers

Sharon K. Ehlers, age 84, of Aurelia, Iowa, formerly Schleswig and Holstein, Iowa died December 30, 2025 at Accura of Aurelia, Iowa. Memorial services will take place Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein. Burial will be in Morgan Township Cemetery in Schleswig, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Caring Paws Rescue in Storm Lake at https://www.caringpawsstormlake.com/donate. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Sharon Kay (Bechen) Ehlers was born on September 30, 1941 in Denison, Iowa to parents John (Jack) and Lydia (Odefy) Bechen. She was Jack and Lydia’s only child. She peacefully passed away on December 30, 2025 at Accura HealthCare of Aurelia, Iowa. Her spicy attitude will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Sharon attended Schleswig elementary school and graduated high school with the Schleswig class of 1960. After high school she spent a short time in Omaha, Nebraska working at Mutual of Omaha. She moved back to Schleswig in 1961 to marry her high school sweetheart, Howard Ehlers. They were married on November 24, 1962 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove, Iowa. They became the parents to three girls, Patricia, Gale and Jodi. Once married, Sharon worked as an equal partner with Howard on their farm. She helped plant and harvest the crops, care for all the animals, as well as keep the house. Howard lovingly bought Sharon a plow one year for her birthday (which he actually wanted) and Sharon in turn bought Howard a beautiful horse for his birthday. Howard’s plan backfired and he never tried that again. In 1983 Howard and Sharon moved to Holstein, Iowa where they purchased and operated Agri Farm Supply (again partners working side by side) selling Golden Sun Feeds until their retirement. During retirement Howard and Sharon enjoyed many trips to Arizona and the Branson area to visit family and friends. Howard and Sharon joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig when the girls were little where Sharon was involved in Ladies Auxiliary, and served as Sunday School teacher and Youth Group leader. When they moved to Holstein they became members of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a member until her passing. Sharon’s faith was of utmost importance to her. Since Sharon was an only child her cousins were like siblings to her. She loved them dearly and they remained close her whole life. Sharon took her title as grandma seriously and could be found attending many school activities through the years. She beamed with pride over all her grandchildren’s accomplishments. The greatest gifts her grandchildren gave her were her great grandchildren. Following Howard’s passing Sharon moved to Wel Life Assisted Living in Alta, Iowa in 2020 where she lived until 2023 when she moved to Accura where she lived until her passing. Sharon loved her dogs and until her passing was either calling for her “Hooch” or asking for someone to buy her a dog. Because of this love for dogs memorials will be directed to Caring Paws, a dog rescue serving the Storm Lake area. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband and her daughter, Patricia (Patti) Kay Ehlers; her parents; father in-law John Ehlers and mother in-law Esther (Rohlk) Ehlers; her brother-in-law William (Bill) Ehlers and sister-in-law Janet (Todd) Ehlers; and sister-in-law Loretta (Ehlers) Sick and brother-in-law Charles (Chuck) Sick. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Gale (Scott) Randall and Jodi (Tim) Bunde, grandchildren Tara (Jordan) Bergland, Travis Reichter, Derrick (Rachele) Randall, Braden (Casey) Randall, Hayley (Trent) Bose and Lydia Bunde, great grandchildren Jayden, Tate, Niyla, Quinn, Jackson, Quinn, Landon, Riley, Finley, Everett, Owen and Bose twins due in April. Brother in-law Robert (Elaine) Ehlers, nieces and nephews, cousins and the many lives she touched.

Sharon K. Ehlers

September 30, 1941 - December 30, 2025