Ewald Albert Kehr

Ewald Albert Kehr, age 84, of La Grande passed away April 11, 2007 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. A funeral will begin at 11:30 a.m. on April 16th at Faith Lutheran Church on 12th Street and Gekeler Lane. This celebration of life for Ewald will also be celebrated by Ewald and Edna's 63rd Anniversary. Committal and interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery.

Ewald was born on March 20, 1923, the son of Ernst and Hilda (Schroeder) Kehr in Wentworth, South Dakota where he worked with his father farming. In October of 1939 he moved to Minnesota where he met Edna Gieseke. They married on April 16, 1944 in South Branch, Minnesota. They farmed the next seven years in Truman, Minnesota. In 1952 when they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where he was a partner in a logging operation. In 1954 he contracted polio and had to quit logging. After recovering he worked in a plywood mill and construction until he started his own contracting business. Ewald and Edna moved to La Grande in 1976 where he worked at building until his health didn't permit it. He loved his woodwork, especially scroll work and stil continued making wooden pliers until last winter.

Ewald's biggest enjoyments were to go hunting and fishing with family and friends and his partner in life, Edna. He was active in the Lutheran Church, serving as an elder and Sunday school superintendent as well as a member of the Lutheran Layman's League. He enjoyed playing the harmonica.

Survivors include his wife, Edna Kehr; daughter, Patricia Brown and husband, Jerry; son, Daniel Kehr and wife, Maura; daughter, Barbara Seavert and husband Gale; all of La Grande; brother, Ben Kehr of Gaylord, Minnesota; eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, David Kehr, a brother, Alvin Kehr and a sister, Bertha Bruns.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Ewald Kehr to the Lutheran Layman's League or charity of one's choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.