Funeral services were held for Ronald Ehnert on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, with Pastor Kirk Douglas officiating. The hymns were sung by the congregation, accompanied by Janell Brakel. The pallbearers were Kris Ostlie, Nick Ostlie, Wyatt Puttonen, Ethan Puttonen, Dan Ehnert and Trey VanOrsdel. Ron was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, New York Mills.

Ronald Dale Ehnert was born on March 6, 1948 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, Minn. His parents were the late Dale and Mabel Ethel (Rix) Ehnert. Ron was baptized on July 25, 1948 in Park Rapids and confirmed on May 19, 1963 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Homestead Township.  Ron graduated from the Sebeka High School with the class of 1966.  After high school he was employed at Hitchcock Industries in Minneapolis.

On February 10, 1968 Ron was united in marriage with Janet Kay Kahilainen at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills.  Their marriage was blessed with two children: Rebecca and Rick.

Ron was employed with Lund Boats in New York Mills until Janet’s father, Herbert passed away in December of 1972.  Ron and Janet helped with the family farm and continued to farm their entire career in Newton Township, eventually passing the farm to their son Rick.

Ron always enjoyed the outdoors, especially deer hunting, elk hunting in Montana, fishing in Canada, playing baseball and farming, Ron just loved farming.  Sundays were exceptional days to Ron and his family, as they would spend each Sunday at church and then to the lake. 

On September 28, 2024 Ron passed away surrounded by his loving family at Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria, Minn. at 76 years of age.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Preceding Ron in death were his parents, Dale and Mabel Ehnert, brother, David Ehnert, and nephew, Scott Ohm.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Janet K. Ehnert of New York Mills; children: Rebecca (Peder) Butenhoff of New York Mills and Rick (Kristina) Ehnert of New York Mills; 2 grandchildren: Brayden and Braxton Ehnert; siblings: Susan (Russ) Ohm of Perham; Sandra (Paul) Doll of Perham and Sheila (Tim) Puttonen of Sebeka; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to send Ron’s family a message of comfort and support.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.