Sylvester “Les” Ebenhoh age 89 of Prior Lake.
A resident of Prior Lake, Sylvester James Ebenhoh, age 89, entered eternal peace with his Lord, with his family surrounding him, Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2014, at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Shakopee, MN. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, April 29 at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9:30 am, all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Road SE, Prior Lake, MN. The Reverend John P. Vaughn will preside. Les will be laid to rest at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Prior Lake, MN.
Gracing this world on July 21, 1924, in New Ulm, MN, Les was the youngest of six children, born to parents John and Anna (Liebl) Ebenhoh. Growing up in New Ulm, he attended school through the ninth grade. But through the years, Les overcame a lot of obstacles and mishaps. His father left the family, at an early age. Les survived falling through the ice on the Minnesota River. He survived a skull fracture from a baseball bat to the head. Les survived a car accident and even falling off a silo. It was a miracle he lived.
Because of his hearing loss, Les was unable to enter the military, so he proudly served in the CCC, for four years. He would have been an amazing sharp shooter in the military, for he could even shoot cigarettes out of his sisters’ mouth.
Les ventured to the Twin Cities hoping to find a job. He started a 15 year career at Continental Machines, and then spent another 15 years, as a machinist at Northland Aluminum. Returning to Continental Machines, part-time, Les then started working as a custodian for the Prior Lake Schools. He even worked summers part-time for the City of Prior Lake.
At a local tavern, Les set his eyes on a young gal named, Rosella Luedke. Asking her over for a beer, the rest became history, for they exchanged vows, at a very simple wedding, on September 1, 1956, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. Les and Rosella were blessed with two daughters, Elece and Meridee. In 1961, they bought a 20 acre hobby farm. There, they enjoyed working in the garden, raising strawberries, raspberries, Indian corn, squash and so much more. They even sold the fruits of their labors to others in the area.
Throughout life, Les loved to fish. Returning home from work, he would pack up the family and head to Prior Lake, where they spent hours fishing, wee into the night. Les also enjoyed fishing up north and visiting family in California. Les and Rosella had a special love for dogs, especially Golden Retrievers and Labs. A talented marksman, he enjoyed pheasant, deer and duck hunting. Les also enjoyed searching for a good bargain, singing songs, riding his golf cart and mowing his lawn.
A man with a great sense of humor and an easy going and gentle personality, Les lived life with a “whatever will be…will be” attitude!!! Left to honor Les’s life and mourn the death is his beloved wife of 57 years, Rosella; duaghters, Elece (Daniel) Shoquist of Prior Lake, Meridee (Duane) Crocker of Prior Lake; grandsons, Breagan and Colton Shoquist; other loving relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Les home, his two infants sons; parents; siblings, Ann, Cecelia, Caroline, Loretta and Ben.
Pall bearers for Les will be Breagan Shoquist, Colton Shoquist, Mark Schroeder, Gene Schroeder, Bob McAllister and Augie Miller
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served the Ebenhoh family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
