Elwood Ahlhardt

Elwood Ahlhardt passed away on July 17, 2012 at the age of 82 years. He was born February 24, 1930, in the Greenvine Community of Washington County, TX, the son of the late George Ahlhardt Sr. and Olga Bernshausen Ahlhardt. Elwood spent his youth growing up in this community and attending the Greenvine School. At a young age he professed Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, was baptized and became a member of the Greenvine Baptist Church. He was inducted into the United States Army and served in California, Arizona and Newfoundland where he learned the trade of a diesel engine mechanic. At the completion of his military service he returned to the Greenvine Community and went to work for the Robert Lange Company in Brenham where he learned the trade of a heavy equipment operator. On March 3, 1957 he was married to Alice Schroeder in the St. John''s Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. Subsequently Alice made a profession of her faith in Christ at the Greenvine Baptist Church, was baptized and became a member of this church along with Elwood. God blessed this union with three children. Being involved in road construction, Elwood, Alice and their family lived in various places in Texas where Elwood was employed by Lange and Lohman Construction Company and Brown and Root Construction Company. During this time they were active members in a number of Baptist Churches. In 1980 Elwood retired from Brown and Root and he and Alice moved back to the Greenvine community where they had their beginning. Elwood was employed as a maintainer operator for Washington County for a number of years before retiring from this job. After retiring, he did part time repair work on tractors and lawn equipment from a shop located at his home. Elwood along with Alice were faithful members of the Greenvine Baptist Church, serving in numerous capacities at this church. Elwood was ordained as a deacon in this church. He is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Kathy Sue Ransleben and her husband Mike, daughter Linda Jean Wade and her husband Dan; seven grandchildren, Amy Johnson, Amanda Ransleben, Lisa Charnoski and her husband Bernie, Stephen Ransleben, Michael Ransleben Jr., Laura Wade and Kelly Wade; and 11 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his brother George and his wife Pat, his brother Gilbert and his wife Shara Lynn and sister in law Ruby Sehlke and her husband Edward. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, young sister Alice, young son Albert Lee and brother in law Leroy Schroeder. He also leaves nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Funeral services will be held at the Greenvine Baptist Church Friday, July 20 at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Jack Falkner officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Robert Rippenhagen, Jim Witte, Roger Huebner, Raymond Bennett, Bryan Haynes and Charles Stevens. Memorial Oaks Chapel of Brenham is in charge of arrangements. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.