Raymond Fred Henry Ehlers

Raymond Fred Henry Ehlers, 89, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Gateway Vista in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was born on October 6, 1936, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, to Louis and Letha Ehlers and was the second of five children.

Ray graduated from Syracuse High School in 1954, where he participated in football, basketball, track, and band. The values and experiences gained through these activities shaped his life and guided the positive impact he had on countless others.

He attended Peru State College, lettering in both football and basketball, and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 2017, Ray was honored with induction into the Peru State Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ray began his coaching career in the fall of 1958 in Fullerton, Nebraska, where he spent ten wonderful years. During that time, he met Patricia Lynn McBride of Belgrade, and they were united in marriage on June 4, 1961. He earned his Master of Administration degree from Kearney State College in 1966.

After two years in Blair, Nebraska, the Ehlers family moved to Lexington in 1969. Ray’s passion was providing the best opportunities for every student and emphasizing the life lessons learned through activities at Lexington High School. As Athletic/Activities Director, he made it a priority to attend all home and away events to support the Minutemen and Minutemaids always with an encouraging voice and vigorous clapping. He was instrumental in establishing girls’ athletic programs and expanding opportunities for junior high students. Ray also coordinated numerous AAU events for area youth, served as the City Parks and Recreation Director, managed the Dawson County Fair, and was a proud member of the Lions Club for sixty years. The Ehlers family were members of Grace Lutheran Church, where Ray held several synodical offices throughout the years.

Ray was named the Nebraska High School Athletic Director of the Year in 1979. While serving Lexington Public Schools, he was also elected to the Nebraska School Activities Association Board of Control, where he served for nine years. He took great pride in representing student athletes across the state and supporting the growth of school activities. In 1995, he was honored as the National Athletic Director of the Year by the National Federation of High School Athletics. Upon his retirement in 1999, after twenty-nine years as a Minuteman, Ray was humbled to have the stadium at Lexington High School named in his honor.

Following retirement, Ray remained deeply involved in high school athletics and devoted several years to helping establish the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted as a contributor in 2007. He also served on the Lexington School Board for ten years. Never one to sit idle, Ray enjoyed working for area farmers, ranchers, and harvest crews, as well as taking annual fishing trips to Canada with “the crew.” Until his stroke in 2016, he faithfully followed the activities of his grandchildren across Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, and Colorado.

Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pat; son Brent and wife, Laura Lee Ehlers of Greeley, CO; daughter Trish Ehlers of Palatine, IL; and son Britt and wife, Megan Ehlers of Lincoln, NE. He is also survived by grandchildren Rafe and wife, Renee Ehlers of Fort Worth, TX; Ryanne Ehlers of Fort Worth, TX; Charlie Henry of Palatine, IL; Ellie Henry and fiancé Nick Shilhavy of Brookfield, WI; and Lizzie, Addie, and Ben Ehlers, all of Lincoln, NE. Great-grandchildren include Emryn and Truitt Ehlers of Fort Worth, TX. Additional survivors include his brother Kurt and wife, Charla Ehlers of Torrington, WY; sister-in-law Howie Ehlers of Ellensburg, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Letha Ehlers; sister Jeannine and her husband, Larry Lucas; sister Roleen and her husband, Joy Watermeier; brother Jerry Ehlers; in laws George and Mabel McBride; and, most recently, brother-in-law Chuck McBride.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, at Lexington High School beginning at 5:00 p.m., with remembrances at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 23, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington, followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Grace Lutheran Church.

Memorials in Ray’s name are suggested to the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Lexington Lions Club, or a future Lexington High School athletic display.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com