Violet Ehlers 86, and long time resident of Lodi, passed peacefully with her family by her side on October 6th, 2018 after a long illness. She was born on November 21, 1931 in Wishek North Dakota to John and Bertha Miller and, as one of their 6 children, relocated to Lodi, California in the early 1940’s.

            At the age of 14 she met the love of her life, Walter Ehlers, and they were later married on May 20th, 1950 where they celebrated 57 years of marriage until his death in 2007.

            In 1951 they formed the farming corporation of Herman Ehlers and Sons, Inc., farming anywhere from 500 to 4,000 acres over the decades, where Vi (after leaving her job at a local jewelry store) went to work as a bookkeeper with Walt in the farming operation and winery until her retirement in 2005.

            Vi and Walt were very involved in the building and operations of Redeemer Lutheran Church after moving from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She was head of the Altar Guild, among other organizations within the church. They were also members of Woodbridge golf and Country Club where Vi served as President of the Nine Hole Group and then moving on to the 18 Hole Group.

           In 1995 Walt and Vi purchased a summer home in Aptos California (also known as little Lodi), where she continued to play at the Seascape Golf Club in the Ladies Group, and where they hosted many friends and her children and grand children at their beach home.

            Vi was preceded in death by her parents, brother Otto Miller, sister Esther (Miller) Newbold, Hilda Miller, Ella (Miller) Ghidossi, and her beloved husband Walt Ehlers.

            She is survived by her sister Wally (Miller) Hughes, son Steven Ehlers (wife Mardy), and her daughter Lisa (Ehlers) Wood. Also her grandson, Steven Ehlers Jr. (wife Megan) and great grandchildren Blake and Whitney Ehlers, grandson Brett Ehlers (wife Leslie) and great granddaughter Payton, granddaughter Elishia (Ehlers) von Berg (husband Erick) and great grandson Ryker.

Internment was private. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Shriners Children’s Hospital. Arrangements under the care of Donahue Funeral Home.

On September 16, 2018, Barbara Shaw Cleland, age 96, joined her mother, father and her beloved husband, Jerry. Jerry passed January 15,2008. She died peacefully in her own bed, as she said she would.

Barbara was born August 19, 1922, in Stockton, California. Her parents were Alice and Emmons Shaw. She graduated from Stockton High School in 1940. She attended Humphrey’s Business College. She went to work for Bank of America for 6 years until she met and married Ray Allen who was in the Navy on R&R. After a short courtship they married and move to Detroit, Michigan where daughter, Sandra was born.   After 15 months of a bad marriage, Barbara returned home with 6 month old daughter Sandra.

One hot Sunday evening, she was sitting on the porch of her parents’ home when 2 young men walked by and then stopped. One was the neighbor and his friend was Jerry. They talked and got reacquainted. Jerry was a baseball player, playing for the New Frog Inn. He invited Barbara to a game. Well, the rest is history. They were married 2 years later. As life progressed the family was transferred, with PG&E, to Sonora, California. On September 16, 1956 son, Ron was born. A complete and happy family. The family was transferred back to Stockton and spent a happy life on Swain Road, raising their son and daughter. Barbara worked for Stockton Unified as a School Secretary for 17 years.

The Cleland’s had done a lot of world traveling but upon Jerry’s retirement and they planned more. Barbara’s bout with breast cancer slowed them down for a while, but with the cancer in remission, they were off and running. Traveling wherever and whenever they got itchy feet.

Barbara started volunteering for the American Cancer Society after her bout with breast cancer. Her reason was that she wanted to give something back, because the society was so good to her. That’s when it all started!!

When they moved to Brookings, Oregon after retirement and traveling the world. Barbara wanted to volunteer so she went to the Chamber of Commerce and asked. She was told “Honey the town is run by volunteers”. She became a volunteer at the Chamber of Commerce for the next 16 years. She was chairman of the Chamber Ambassadors and Chairman of the Representatives. This volunteer work is what earned her recognition as the Chambers’” Volunteer of the Year” for 2006.

Barbara was chairman of the Receptionists of the Chetco Senior Center (Activity Center Now) and served as Senior Center President for 2 years. Was a Board member for 5 years. During this time she was head of the Curry Transit Dispatchers and Charter Service for 9 years.

After leaving these jobs, Barbara became involved as a member of the Board for Oasis House, in Gold Beach, Oregon.

Among the awards Barbara received were- “Citizen of the Month” for Brookings Harbor Community, “2006 Volunteer of the Year” for Chamber of Commerce. The “Legion of Honor Award” from the Marine Corp League- Making a difference for woman Soroptimist.

Barbara always found time for her beloved husband Jerry and her son, Ron, his wife Karlene and family. Every summer the 2 grandchildren, Megan and her brother Casey spent part of their vacation in Brookings. Lots of fun and lots of day trips. The other grandson, Eric, spent time in Bookings also.

There are 4 great grandchildren now. Eric’s girls, Hailey and Madison. Eric’s wife is Charissa. She loved them all so much. Megan and her husband, Tony, have 2 boys, Wyatt and Ryan.

Barbara loved life!! Ask her she would tell you! She served for her children and anyone else who asked. She loved to cook and make cookies for the grandkids. The family invites you to share in the Celebration of her life on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 200 West Oak St, in Lodi, California at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow the ceremony. In leu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 west Oak St., Lodi, CA 95240, or the American Cancer Society.

Evencio Jesus Huerta was born December 1^st, 1990 in French Camp, CA to Jose Luis Huerta and Genoveva Bravo de Huerta. He was raised in Acampo, CA, and a graduate of Lodi High School and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UC Davis. Evencio was a manager for the flooring department at the Lowes store in Lodi, CA but ultimately was a Loss and Prevention Manager at the Lowes in Dublin, CA. When he wasn’t working Evencio enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He was a young man that was full of life and could make you laugh like no other person could. He loved his firearms and enjoyed adding to his collection when he could.

Evencio is preceded in death by his cousin and grandparents. He is survived by his parents; Jose Luis Huerta Tobon and Genoveva Bravo de Huerta, his sisters; Yesenia and Crystal Huerta and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Friends are invited to visit on Monday, October 8, from 12pm-8pm at Donahue Funeral Home. A Rosary will be held on Monday, October 8, at 7pm at Donahue Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 9, at 10am at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Committal will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Donahue Funeral Home.