Robert L. Ehrens

Robert "Bob" LeRoy Ehrens, 74, of rural Detroit Lakes, MN, died Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Sanford Health in Palliative Care, Fargo, ND after his short courageous battle with cancer. Bob was one of eleven children, born on February 26, 1938, to Rudolph and Verneal (Eckhoff) Ehrens in Wahpeton, ND. He was raised and educated in Wahpeton, ND, graduating in 1956. Prior to graduation, Bob joined the North Dakota National Guard, and was honorably discharged after his seven years of service, he was a long-standing benefit member of the Wahpeton, ND Eagles and also a member of the Fargo, ND American Legion. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Schultz, on February 8, 1958 in Great Bend, ND. They made their home in Breckenridge, MN for a short time before moving to Detroit Lakes, MN where Bob worked for Swift Company and Stensland Oil. His 40 year career with Thompson Roofing began in Fergus Falls, MN and was later transferred to Fargo, ND. Bob and Sharon raised their family in Moorhead, MN and were active members of Grace United Methodist Church. They then returned to the Detroit Lakes area to enjoy their retirement on the lake and became members of the United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes. During his retirement years he was known as "Bob The Builder" for all his handyman projects. Bob inherited a 1960 Dodge pickup truck and took much pleasure in restoring it. Bobchr(39)s love of driving led to many traveling adventures around the country that he shared with his family. Bob truly enjoyed being outside in the summers, and spent much of his time fishing, golfing, gardening and being the captain of the many pontoon rides on the lake with his family. During the winters Bob spent much of his time ice fishing, playing bingo and being an active member of the Midnight Riderchr(39)s Snowmobile Club, which led to the restoration of a 1962 Polaris snowmobile. Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon; two daughters, Kim (Gary) Larson of Delano, MN; Christy (Rob) Miller of Glyndon, MN; six grandchildren, Jessica Miller, Matthew (Maggie) Larson, Jennifer Miller, Amanda (Erik) Vander Linden, Michael Larson and Jodi Miller; five great-grandchildren, Mason and Logan Vander Linden, Jalynn Miller, Oliver and Wyatt Larson; six sisters, Shirley (James) Score of Dwight, ND; Peggy (Chuck) Locke of Dallas, OR; Karen (Bert) Schroeder of Woodburn, OR; LaVonne Wegner of Bertha, MN; Eloise (Robert) Allen of Woodburn, OR; Agnes (Gordon) Stahlberg of Woodburn, OR; Pamela Dillard of Raleigh, NC; one brother, Leon (JoAnn) Ehrens of Woodburn, OR; one sister-in-law, Karen Underhill of Sauk Rapids, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Rudolph Ehrens Jr., one sister, Beverly Petermann, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Oliver and Bessie Schultz. The family of Bob Ehrens would like to thank Dr. Louis Geeraerts and his staff of the Roger Maris Cancer Center, and the amazing team of doctors and nurses on the seventh floor oncology unit and Palliative Care Unit, both of Sanford Health for their compassion and benevolence through this difficult journey. In lieu of flowers the family prefer memorials be made to United Methodist Church of Detroit Lakes or the Roger Maris Cancer Center.