Emma "Jean" Ehlers, 81 years of age from Minden, Nebraska, formerly of Hebron died on Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Bethany Home Assisted Living in Minden. Memorial services will be on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden with Rev. Donald Hunzeker officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hebron, Nebraska on Friday at 3:15 p.m. There will be no visitation.

Jean was born on August 19, 1935 to Albert W. and Zelma E. (Disney) Hayes in Hebron, NE. She grew up in the Hebron area. Following her graduation from Hebron High School, Jean met and married Don L. Ehlers in 1953 at Knoxville, Iowa. They later settled in Deshler, NE and were blessed with four children. Along with being a homemaker and mother, she found employment at the Deshler Broom Factory, Reinke Manufacturing and in the nursing home. She remained in the Thayer county area until March of 2015 when she moved to Bethany Home Assisted Living in Minden to be closer to family. Although remaining very busy through employment and homemaking, she was always devoted to her children. Throughout their upbringing, she never missed one of their events and always had time to comfort when they were not feeling well. Jean was known by her friends and family as being honest and hard working, as well as being a devoted wife and loving mother.

"Jean" is survived by son Douglas and wife Julie Ehlers of Minden, NE; daughter Debra D Kaenel of Minden and husband Jon Kaenel of Broussard, LA; son Jason and wife Colette Ehlers of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Derek and wife Julie Ehlers of Lincoln, NE; Jordan Ehlers of Hastings, NE, Creed Ehlers of Minden, NE. Chris and wife Angelica Ehlers of Lexington, NE, Shannon Kaenel of North Platte, NE, Candice Lejeuene of Lexington, NE, Jacob and Jarod Ehlers of Lincoln; Dustin Ehlers of Gothenburg, NE; Jessa and husband Derek Thompson of Gothenburg, NE; Dane Ehlers of Gothenburg, NE. Two step grandchildren, Samantha Johnson of Lincoln, NE and Connor Johnson of Minden, NE; one brother, Robert Hayes of Deshler, sister Yvonne "Vicky" and husband Timothy Heinrichs of Marietta, GA. She is also remembered by many other great grandchildren, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Rosemary Diggins and brother-in-law William Diggins, husband Don, her son Steven M. Ehlers, sister-in-law Opal "Shorty" Hayes and a great grandson, Gus Thompson.