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.