Sylvia Ehler

     Sylvia Ehler, age 87, of Calmar, IA, died on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, WI.      Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, 2351 County Road B32, Festina, IA, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.      Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, and also from 9:00-10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at the Festina Parish Center, in Festina, IA.    Sylvia Catherine Ehler was born on April 13, 1927, the daughter of Philip and Theresia (Meyer) Hageman on the Hageman family farm between Festina and Ossian, Iowa. Sylvia attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina until the age of thirteen, when she had to stay at home and take care of the family after her mother’s death. She was united in marriage to Edmund Ehler on May 14, 1949, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, by Rev. Henry Nosbisch. Together they farmed the Ehler Century Farm for many years south of Calmar. Sylvia was a meticulous homemaker and caretaker of the farm. She enjoyed dancing with Edmund to waltzes, polkas and square dances, as well as playing 500, Euchre and Phase 10. She was a wonderful cook and baker and enjoyed taking care of her flower beds. Sylvia was well known for making her delicious potato salad; divinity candy during the Holidays and thousands of rosaries for missions. Sylvia was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Rosary Society.      Sylvia is survived by her four children: Ken (Cathy) Ehler, Calmar, IA; Larry Ehler, Ossian, IA; Theresa Lou (Loren) Schmitt, Calmar, IA. Marianne Ehler, Minneapolis, MN; and One daughter-in-law: Bonnie Ehler, Urbandale, IA. Five grandchildren: Matthew (Rachael) Schmitt, Brian (Danielle) Schmitt, Kurt (fiancé Shantel Perry) Schmitt, Andrew and Adam Ehler. One sister-in-law: Marie Frana, Decorah, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.      Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents: Philip and Theresia (Meyer) Hageman. Her husband: Edmund Ehler on Nov. 26, 2004. One son: Terry Ehler on Sept. 5, 2012. One daughter-in-law: Audrey Ehler on Jan. 26, 2010. Two brothers: Cyril (Rose) Hageman and Adrian (Lillian) Hageman. Three brothers-in-law: Felix (Bertha) Ehler, Norbert (Clara) Ehler and George Frana. Two sisters-in-law: Ida (Frank) Hageman and Agatha Ehler in infancy.