Roger A. Ehlers

Roger A. Ehlers, 81, of Soldier, Iowa passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Burgess Health Center, Onawa, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Linda Boggs, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Roger’s obituary. Burial will follow in the Belvidere Cemetery, rural Turin, Iowa with Military Honors provided by the United States Army and the Dunlap American Legion Post #224 of Dunlap, Iowa. A visitation will be 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the Goslar Chapel in Onawa. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Roger Allen Ehlers was born March 29, 1944, in Dunlap, Iowa, the son of Otto and Gladys “Millie” (Coleman) Ehlers. He was raised in Dunlap and graduated from Dunlap Public Schools with the class of 1962. Following his graduation, Roger entered the United States Army on June 1, 1965, and was honorably discharged on May 31, 1967. During his service, he served in Vietnam and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle M-14).

Roger and Judy McDonald were united into marriage April 9, 1971, in Pipestone, Minnesota. To this union two children were born, Shannon and Jill.

Roger began working at the age of ten for the Moore Brothers grocery store, which had locations in Charter Oak, Woodbine, and Logan. In the early 1980s, he purchased the Dunlap grocery store and proudly owned and operated Roger’s Super Market until his retirement in 2001.

He had a deep love for the outdoors, often enjoying drives through the hills to observe wildlife, as well as spending time visiting his friends in Dunlap and going to the casino. Roger was a passionate animal lover, a devoted Iowa Hawkeye fan, and someone who never passed up ice cream. He always had a cold Diet Coke in his hand. Above all, he cherished spending time with his family.

Roger was a proud member of the Dunlap American Legion Post #224, the VFW, and the Congregational Church in Dunlap, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife of fifty – four years, Judy Ehlers of Soldier, Iowa; children, Shannon Ehlers of Soldier, Iowa, and Jill (Lee) Kirkpatrick of Onawa, Iowa; grandchildren, Lane Kirkpatrick of Onawa, Iowa, Alyssa (Jarren Young) Kirkpatrick of Blencoe, Iowa, and Kaylee (Wyatt Schoenherr) Kirkpatrick of Onawa, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Gladys “Millie” (Coleman) Ehlers, parents-in-law, Donald and Maxine (Mann) McDonald; two brothers, Gene Otto Ehlers and Virgil Ehlers; and sister-in-law, Janet Ehlers.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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