Harold (Buz) Ehlers, age 89, of North Platte passed away April 16, 2018 at Great Plains Health.

Buz was born on May 7, 1928 in North Platte to Edward and Elizabeth (Bailey) Ehlers.

He started school at Bell Prairie School, near Maywood and attended North Platte Schools later.  He had fond memories of his youth, spending time at the Chamberlain Ranch at Maywood.

As a young man he moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where he met and married Phyllis Hawley.  They had two daughters, Judy and Mary, and after moving back to North Platte had a son, Vern.  After Phyllis died, Buz married Bonnie (Bogie) Reinhardt, enlarging the family with their son, Kenneth, and her two children, Jerry and Kathy.

He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad, after 30 years of service as a Boilermaker.  During that time, for 25 years he was also partners with TR Richardson in a cattle operation in Gilman Canyon, South of Gothenburg, which was a labor of love.

Buz and Bonnie purchased their place between Stapleton and North Platte and lived there for 42 years before retiring and moving to North Platte.  For twenty years they raised Norwegian Fjord Horses.  Buz especially enjoyed the first team of Fjords that he had for 15 years, “Stink” and “Dink”.  He liked sharing them with others, giving rides at weddings, anniversaries, the prom, Santa rides through downtown North Platte, and in parades.  With his team and wagon he joined the Midwest Wagon train where he made many friends.  He was a member of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse for 10 years and a charter member of the Nebraska Horse Association.

They then spent winters along the west side of the Colorado River, North of Needles, CA, where Buz made many more close friends, and where he no longer had to shovel snow.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie of North Platte; daughters, Judy (Don) White of Mullen, Kathleen Hicks of Missoula, MT, and Mary (Paul) Soules of Las Vegas, NC; sons, Jerry (Deb) Reinhardt of Greeley, CO, Vern (Kelly) Ehlers of North Platte, and Ken (Therese) Ehlers of Stapleton; grandchildren, Heather (Jesse) Harwager of Stapleton, Dustin (Mista) White of Alliance, Trey (Becky) White of Paxton, Angie Keller of Missoula, MT, Dawn Facka, Shannon Facka, and Tresie (late husband, Bobby) Ockerman, James (Angie) Facka all of Farmington, NM, Garrett (Laura) Reinhardt of Loveland, CO, Josh (Billi) Reinhardt of Greeley, CO, Amanda (Tommy) Sporleder of Windsor, CO, TJ (Lindsey) Ehlers of Lincoln, Brett (Sarah) Ehlers of Omaha, Lindsay (Kevin) Tidyman of North Platte, Justin (Kari) Ehlers of Kearney, and Courtney Ehlers of Lincoln; 37 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Dick (Bernice)Bogie; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Ben) McPhie; three special great-nephews, Rick (Barb) Strain, Ed (Peggy) Strain, and Danny (Norma) Strain.

In addition to his parents; fist wife; he was preceded in death by sister and husband, Ethel (Elmer) Drake; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Gladys), Norbert (Lucille), and Lester (Evelyn)several nieces and nephews.

Family receiving friends will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.