Obituary of Barbara Ehlhardt

Barbara Ehlhardt - beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother- passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. She was born on August 27, 1926 in El Centro, California to Wyatt and Virginia Briggs. In the fall of 1945, a friend convinced her to “go stag” to a dance where she was to meet the love of her life, Werner (Warren) Ehlhardt. They were married on February 23, 1946, raising their five children in Southern California and Arizona.Their early years focused on providing their children a solid, faith-filled home and opportunities to grow through sports, recreation and music. Their middle years were laced with adventure traveling to and building homes in some of the most beautiful places in our country, including Sedona, Arizona and Sequim, Washington. However, it was in their later years—particularly the past 10 years while living in Eugene—where the light of their great love glowed its brightest. Barbara’s health issues were myriad, requiring ever-increasing levels of care, which her husband provided with unspeakable tenderness. Her abiding faith, love of family, patience, and sense of humor were no doubt the reasons why she remained with us for so long to give us so much.She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Warren; her five children – Johanna Ehlhardt of Seattle, WA; Michael Ehlhardt of Dutch Harbor, AK; Matthew (Lynn) Ehlhardt of Chico, CA: Mark Ehlhardt and Nanette Jordan, Kuna, ID; and Laurie (Daniel) Powell of Eugene. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.Her funeral mass will be held on Monday, February 24, 2014 at the 12:15 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Eugene with internment to follow at West Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Eugene.In lieu of bouquets of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sacred Heart Hospice “Strings of Compassion” program, providing bouquets of celestial music for those preparing to pass from this life and their families.Strings of Compassion, Sacred Heart Medical Center, PO Box 10905, Eugene, OR 97440Arrangements entrusted to England’s Eugene Memorial Chapel. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com