Red was born on January 25, 1925 at the Lutheran Hospital in Beaver Dam to LeRoy V. and Vesta B. (nee Livermore) Ehlenfeldt. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1943. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II from December 1942 until January 1946. On January 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to Alice L. Steiner in Kingston, WI. Red was a police sergeant in Beaver Dam for 31 years, retiring on December 20, 1980. He also served as the City of Beaver Dam's Civil Defense Director from 1973 until 1998.

Red was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 146 and the VFW Post 1163, both in Beaver Dam, along with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. He was also a member of the USS Heermann DD532 Association, the Patrol Craft Sailors Association and the Tin Can Sailors. Red served as the secretary for 23 years for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1638 in Beaver Dam, and he was also a later member of Aerie 270 in Fond du Lac. Red was a member of First Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam.

Red was very proud of his family and was a wonderful provider for them. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and always looked forward to gathering together on Christmas Eve. He was an avid Wisconsin Badgers fan, and he enjoyed listening to bluegrass music, deer hunting, camping at Willow Mills, attending Naval reunions, watching western movies, and reading western books by Louis L'Amour.

Red is survived by his wife, Alice of Beaver Dam; his children, Bob (Diane) Ehlenfeldt of Sun Prairie, Bev (Bob) Kempfer of Wild Rose, Todd (Beth) Ehlenfeldt of Randolph, Jim (Barb) Ehlenfeldt of Beaver Dam, Jayne (Jim) Wilson of Raytown, MO and Tom (Ruth) Ehlenfeldt of Stevens Point; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; his sister, Carol Braemer of Beaver Dam and his brother, Chuck (Toody) Ehlenfeldt of Burnett. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Red was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Kay Gossfeld; his brother Vernon "Bud" Ehlenfeldt; his brothers-in-law, Robert Gossfeld and LeRoy Braemer; and his great-granddaughter, Lilly Kempfer.

A Funeral Service for Red will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. NOON at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam with Rev. Dr. Mark Molldrem officiating. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. with the John E. Miller American Legion Post 146 invited for a walk through at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will also take place on Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens in the township of Trenton with graveside military honors provided by the American Legion Post 146.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.

Click HERE to view Red's Life Tribute Video.