Roy “Bud” Lester Ehlen Jr
January 13, 1936 ~ June 10, 2023
Roy “Bud” L. Ehlen Jr., 87, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully, on June 10, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls South Dakota.
Visitation with family present will be 5-7PM, Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Heartland Funeral Home, in Brandon SD.
Roy “Bud” Lester Ehlen Jr. was born on January 13, 1936, to Roy and Louise (Stragliati) Ehlen in Sioux Falls, SD. He graduated from Washington High School. After graduating high school Roy enlisted in the Army and served for 2 years. Upon being discharged from the service, Roy started working for Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, CA. After leaving Douglas Aircraft, he started working as a private cargo pilot, which took him around the world to England, Ireland, Guatemala, Nicaragua, British Honduras, and various other countries. After retiring as a pilot, Roy returned home to Sioux Falls where he would meet his future wife, Danielle Ogdie. Roy and Danielle were united in marriage on June 28, 1968. They had five children; Allan, Laurie, Linda, Marie, and Royce. Sometime later, Roy founded United Disposal, a refuse hauling business prior to founding Unit Can Company, in Sioux Falls which he continued to operate until his retirement. Always a savvy investor, Roy loved to watch the stock market and throughout the years he developed a keen intuition that astonished his stock brokers.
Roy loved to go on trips to the Black Hills, Two Harbors, MN, and Winnipeg, Canada. He was also an avid rock collector, having collected many rocks on these trips with his son, Royce.
Roy was a wonderful kind-hearted man with a great sense of humor and was very loved by his friends and family. Always a generous spirit, Roy never hesitated to help a person less fortunate.
Roy is survived by his wife of 56 years, Danielle; three children, Laurie Nelson, Brandon, Linda (Kevin) Fountain, Colton, and Royce Ehlen, Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Ashlie (Ryan) Wingate, Brandon, Blake (Anna) Nelson, Valley Springs, Casey (Christopher) Dickerson, Brandon, Talon Sauers, Sioux Falls, and Jamie Jones, Sioux Falls; seven great-grandchildren, Keegan and Koen Wingate, Bennett and Benson Nelson, Ari, Maeve, and Rae Dickerson; his older brother Nick “Bull” Ehlen, Sioux Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Louise Ehlen; daughter, Marie Ehlen; son, Allan Doering; brothers, John “Jack” and Charlie “Chick”; and sisters, Helen, Dorothea, Donna, and Rita.
Roy was one of the last of the dreamers, adventurers and renaissance men. He always made life entertaining.