Jeff Ehrhardt

Jeff Ehrhardt left this earthly world, for life with the Lord, after a brief and unexpected illness on October 2nd, 2024 with the love of his life, Mardy, by his side.

He was born on August 2, 1951, the son of Walter and Edie Ehrhardt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1960 and Jeff graduated from Sturgeon Bay HS in 1969. In high school, Jeff was a member of several championship sport teams including football, basketball and track. Upon graduation Jeff attended UW-Stevens Point for two years where he participated in basketball. In 1971, Jeff was drafted out of college into the US Army where he served in West Germany for 3 years attaining the rank of Sgt. E-5. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his honorable military service after he developed a computer structure for testing US Army personnel. After military service, Jeff returned to college and completed his bachelor's degree in secondary education.

In 1977, Jeff began teaching High School Social Studies and coaching football in the Mellen School District. During Jeff's teaching career he served as the Coordinator of the Education for Employment Program, which became a state model. He also coached basketball and volleyball and served as the school's Athletic Director from 1981 until 1996. In 1996, Jeff completed his Master's Degree in Educational Administration and became Principal of the Mellen School. In 1999, Jeff completed his Superintendent certification and became the Mellen School Superintendent in which he served until 2007. Upon retirement, Jeff took a Superintendent position, part-time, with the Mercer School District, finally retiring in 2009.

Jeff demonstrated the importance of hard work and cooperation, and created a sense of community service within his school, church and family. He was one of the original organizers of the Mellen Youth Athletic Association, the Save the Mellen School Organization, and the Bad River Watershed Association. Jeff also served as Chairman of the Town of Morse and Mellen Utilities Commission. He was Moderator of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Mellen, and headed a building fund drive that built the current UCC Church. He also was a member of the Mellen Lions Club. Jeff's leadership, fundraising and financial budget skills will be missed by many.

Jeff and his beloved wife, Mardy, have been inextricably intertwined for over 42 years making quite a team, raising a family and working together to support their community. To his family, "Papa Jeff" was known for his whisker rubs, epic bonfires, pontoon rides, sled rides behind the tractor, whirlwind family road trips, unconventional home projects on the Meder Lake homestead, excellent cookouts followed by root beer floats or turtle sundaes, and frequent requests to host everyone for the holidays. He had a special love for decorating during the holidays to impress the grandkids, especially creating a spooky trail lined with candy to Witches Rock. He also enjoyed incentivizing kids and grandkids to see how high they could jump with $5 rewards if they could touch the top of the door or the ceiling. He was a constant fixture in all of his kids and grandkids lives willing to drive through the night to make it to out of town family events and still get back for his commitments at home. Firm, yet fair, and maybe just a touch impatient, he didn't wait around for things to happen; he wanted to make things happen, leading by example with servant leadership, and reminding those close to him that "the sun will come up tomorrow, and I'll still love you." He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Jeff is survived by his beloved wife Mardy (Hoglund), son Ben (Beth) Rikkola of Sturgeon Bay; daughters Rachel (Darryl) Penner of Ashland, Meganne (Herman) Bartsch of Mankato,MN and Shannon (Todd) Justice of Waxhaw, NC; sister Cathy (John) Wiese of Sturgeon Bay; brothers Kurt (Marsha) Ehrhardt, of Monument. CO and Dave (Heidi) Ehrhardt of Rogue River, OR; grandchildren, Bailey, Naomi, & Sadie Rikkola, Chelsea, Sam & Blaire Penner, Nolan, Lincoln, & Beau Bartsch, Anna Kate & Ally Justice; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father Walter Ehrhardt in 1970, mother Edie Ehrhardt in 1999, father- in-law Ray Hoglund in 1980 and mother-in-law Anne Hoglund in 2018.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Congregational United Church of Christ on Saturday, October 19, 2024 with a gathering for family and friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremations Services of Ashland and Mellen, WI.