Grace L. Ehlenbach

Grace Louise Margaret Victoria Ehlenbach (Nee Ebert) was born into Eternal Life on March 1, 2018 at the age of 90 years, joining her husband in heaven. Survived by her daughters, Julie Ann (James R.) Schmidt and Mary Beth (Thomas A.) Haunty; her grandchildren, Sara Ceballos, Shannon Schmidt, Elisa Schmidt, Melissa Haunty, Alexander Haunty and Joshua Haunty; great-grandchildren Michael James and Isabelle Bell; siblings Carol (the late Gerald) Hofmann and John (Elaine) Ebert; nieces and nephews; and other family and friends. Preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth J. Ehlenbach, and her parents, Solomo and Eleanor Ebert.

Grace was born in Milwaukee on August 4, 1927, soon moving to New Berlin for her early years. After her father died when she was 5, they moved to Ada, WI, near Sheboygan, to be near extended family. She started school where her mother attended, a one-room schoolhouse named Washington Grade School. In 1935, she returned to New Berlin to the home which her father had purchased in 1915 and lived her entire life in that same home.

Grace attended grade school at Shady Nook in New Berlin and rode the rapid transit to Solomon Juneau High School in Milwaukee where she graduated in 1946. Her locker was next to future astronaut, James Lovell, and they became good friends. A later honor for her and Ken was hosting James’ and his wife Marilyn’s 25th anniversary in their home shortly after Apollo 13. Grace attended Milwaukee State Teacher’s College (now a part of UW-Milwaukee), having been awarded a $20 scholarship for the amount of tuition from Juneau teachers; she graduated in 1950. Grace worked as an elementary school teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools for 35 years, retiring in 1985. She taught 1st-3rd grades at 67th Street School, regularly having a classroom of 35 children each year to which she taught all of their courses as well as gym, music and art. It was a full-time job. So many children were influenced by her joy of teaching. Grace was a member of Milwaukee Teacher’s Education Association (MTEA), Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), and the Wisconsin Bar Auxiliary.

Grace was confirmed in her faith in 1942 at Forest Park Presbyterian and became a member of Apostle Presbyterian Church in 1957. Her faith was important to her and she was very proud of her grandfather Rev. Otto Ebert who, fluent in several ancient Biblical languages, came to America founding 13 churches in the mid-1800’s, the last of which is Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Together with her husband Ken, a devoted and honoring Catholic, they created a legacy of faith, joining different religious traditions and raising a generation of believers able to come together and build bridges of faith.

Grace married her husband Ken on Thanksgiving Day in November 1955 and they continued to live in the family home. Grace was able to manage a full-time teaching career, while raising two girls together with her husband, and taking care of her mother in their home. She was truly a trendsetter of her time. She and Ken enjoyed their German heritage and with their family traveled to Germany visiting their distant relatives in 1975.

Grace was an avid reader, a lifelong learner, and she enjoyed gardening. Her home was her sanctuary, and she loved the birds and animals that frequented her yard. Her first love though was her family and they were her first priority. Ken loved his Gracie and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage before Ken passed in August 2016. She often said she truly lived a wonderful life.

Visitation will be at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue in New Berlin on Saturday, March 17, 2018, from 10-11:45 AM. Service at 12 noon. Grace will then be cremated and her ashes will be privately interred at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation to honor her dedication to a quality education for all.