Marcile Annette Ehlers, 94, of Corder, Missouri, passed away on January 25, 2023, at Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia, Missouri. She was born in her home on June 20, 1928, to Ernest Henry “E.H.” and Leah Elizabeth Lydia (Frerking) Kuddes, Sr.
She attended Zion Lutheran School through the eighth grade and graduated from Corder High School in 1946. After high school, she attended Missouri Valley College, where she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority; however, following her marriage, she took a sabbatical from her studies, but later returned to receive a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Elementary Education, in 1972. She received a Master’s of Science in Education with a degree in Elementary School Teaching, with an emphasis in Special Education, from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in 1976.
She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Corder, where she was baptized, confirmed, and eventually married Robert “Bob” Herman Godfried Ehlers on August 8, 1948. They had three sons, Michael Robert, Terence Kuddes, and Ernest Lee. Marcile and Bob raised their sons on the farm where she was also raised, which still belongs to the family. The Kuddes/Ehlers family farm was recognized as a Century Farm by the University of Missouri Extension in May of 2007.
Marcile was the secretary of the Corder High School Alumni Association for many years, she was a charter member of the Lafayette Lady Lions Club, sang in the choir at her church, enjoyed her Koffee Klatch group, and liked the excitement surrounding the Corder Picnic each year. Marcile and Bob hosted and participated in pinochle card game nights with the same group of friends each winter, which continued for over 50 years. They were also Walther League sponsors at Zion Lutheran Church and 4-H leaders when their sons were members. Marcile followed in the footsteps of her mother and was involved in the Dorcas Society at Zion Lutheran Church. She was the 1973 Corder Business and Professional Women’s “Woman of the Year.” She was also a long time member of the Webb Extension Homemakers Club. She read the Kansas City Star daily and made sure to keep up to date on the latest fashion trends she found in the paper.
She kept in touch with her family, with weekly calls to and from her children and grandchildren. She took pride in her grandchildren–it was the “good Christian kind of pride,” as we were often reminded. She supported her sons’ addiction to the Mizzou Tigers’ football team and listened to their games on the radio each weekend, to make sure she could have something to contribute in her weekly phone conversations with the boys. She wrote regular letters to her family, ending with “Love and Hugs, Grandma.” She made sure to end every phone call by sending virtual hugs and asking, “Can you feel the squeeze?”
Marcile and Bob owned a livestock trucking business and she even filled in as a driver for the straight truck at times. She faithfully cared for Bob in their home during his short time with brain cancer, until his death in 1998, after 49 years of marriage. She maintained the farm home “north of Corder,” and continued to work until her retirement from the Higginsville Habilitation Center, after 38 years, finishing her career as a Habilitation Specialist.
Her sister, Betty Jane, moved to Corder in 2006 to live in her house in town, and the two became inseparable. It was quite a show when they were together–you never knew when they might break out in song. Marcile aided Betty Jane in every way she could, until her passing in 2016.
Marcile will be remembered for her quick wit, catchphrases, and overall honesty about her opinion. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; siblings, E.H. “Jack” Junior, Betty Jane, and two infant siblings.
She is survived by her three sons, Mike (Patricia) of Denison, Iowa, Terry (Becky) of Boonville, Missouri, and Ernie (Kim) of Mountain Grove, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Matt Ehlers (Andrea Weigl), Rob Ehlers (Leta), Anne Ehlers, Emily Ehlers (Mitch Nass), Rachel Walk (Curtis), Kelsey Ehlers, Kaitlyn Van Cleave (Chris), and Erin Ehlers (Aaron Warning); four great-grandchildren, Chyna Ehlers, Josephine Ehlers, Cullen Walk, and Candrick Walk; and a dear, lifelong friend, Arlene Tieman Miesner.
Visitation will be Monday, January 30th from 4:30-7:00 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church in Corder.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 31st at 10:30 am at the church, officiated by Pastor Mark Junkin.
Casket Bearers will be Bob Aversman, Jeff Nieman, Greg Lorenz, Beau Linebach, Matt Ehlers, Rob Ehlers.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be Donald Ahle, Kenneth Fricke, Don and Betty Nieman, Danny and Sandy Brooks, Herb and Gloria Boehmer.
She will be buried at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Corder.
Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran School or Lions Eye Research.