Murray Frederick Ehlers

Too many of us lost someone most dear on the 2nd of February 2015. Murray Frederick Ehlers, most recently of Missoula, MT left us to join his wife in their place of final rest.
Murray will be remembered for his wit and drive, his warmth, and his integrity. There's not been one like him, and we can only hope those of us lucky enough to know him may try to follow his example.
He was born in Garrison, North Dakota in 1929 to Clifford.. and Helen Murray Ehlers. When he was nine years old, the family moved to Bozeman, and then Sheridan, Montana, where he graduated from Sheridan High School in 1947.
After high school he joined the United States Air Force. He served his country in Okinawa during the Korean war, and was forever shaped by the experience and relationships he forged there.
Upon his return to civilian life he entered the University of Montana in Missoula, earning his degree in three years. Post graduation, he was accepted to the esteemed Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management where he earned his MBA. After completing his studies he moved to New York, taking a job with the International Division of the Gardner-Denver Company. One year after he started with Gardner-Denver, he moved to Venezuela to work as their representative. He remained with the company for four years.
In April, 1960, he married the person he held most dear, Carol Hestekin, and she joined him in Venezuela, where they would spend the next sixteen years building a life together. They raised their four children, Mike, James, Susie, and Christine, in Venezuela, and the memories made there will be forever treasured as precious and incomparable.
In 1962 Murray left Gardner-Denver to invest in South American Machinery, and in 1972 added Communicacion Industriales (a telecom company) to his accomplishments. In 1976 he sold his interests in both the companies, and he and Carol moved the family to Billings, Montana to be closer to Carol's parents Clarence and Ruth Hestekin. He and Carol remained there until 2010 at which time they moved to Missoula.
Murray had a passion for golf which began during his days at the University of Montana. He was a member of Highlands Country Club in Billings for over 30 years. Golfing with friends and family was one of his favorite things.
Before Murray's passing, he made it clear that he wanted it known how important his family was to him. In his personal papers he wrote, "My life was my wife, children and grandchildren, and family and friends." We who count ourselves in that group know this to be true beyond all doubt.
Murray was a deeply compassionate man who shared his love of life with others in many significant ways. He served for 34 years as an usher at Saint Patrick's Co Cathedral in Billings, MT. He served on the Montana Highway Commission, SCORE, and Meals on Wheels for many years. In every way, Murray gave of himself to his family, his church, and his community. He made many deep and lasting friendships through these activities. His generosity will serve as a shining example to his children and grandchildren, and in this way his memory will be honored and cherished.
Murray is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford. and Helen Ehlers, sisters Mary Wright (Beaverton, Oregon), Patricia Finnegan (Sheridan, Montana), brother "Bud" Ehlers (Sheridan, Montana), and sister Sharon Ludwig (Sheridan, Montana), and his loving wife Carol. A celebration of life will be held on Friday February 13, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. At the Springs At Missoula. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

Read Murray Ehlers's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.