Ernst Rehder

Ernst Rehder, 91, of Geneseo, IL, died Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at Good Samaritan Village, Geneseo, IL.  Rita E. Rehder, 87, of Geneseo, IL, formerly of Moline, IL, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at Good Samaritan Society.

A joint memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1330 13th Street, Moline.  According to their wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a graveside service will be held at 2 p.m.  at Andover Cemetery, IL.  Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Good Samaritan Society, Geneseo.  Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ernst was born on January 6, 1925, in Hohenwestedt, Germany, the son of Paul M. and Anna M. Martens Rehder. He graduated from the State School of Tech in Eckernfoerde Germany.   He married Rita Ella Marie Denker in 1948 in Hohenwestedt.  Together, with their son, Jens, they emigrated to the United States in 1956 and resided in Grayslake, IL.  He was a partner in the architectural firm Rehder/Rothermel-Pekkarinen, Waukegan, IL, retiring in 1987.

Mr. Rehder served in the German armed forces in WWII and was wounded in the battle of Anzio, Italy.   He was a founding member of the German American National Congress (DANK).  He was a past President of the council of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Grayslake, IL, and the Chicago Technical Society.

Rita was born on March 17, 1925, in Probsteierhagen, Germany, the daughter of Wilhelm and Klara Wellendorf Denker.  She married Ernst Rehder in 1948 in Hohenwestedt, Germany.  Prior to coming to Moline, she worked for 18 years as a Bookkeeping Supervisor for Grayslake National Bank.

Together, Ernst and Rita were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline and the American Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society (ASHHS).  Ernst was also a member of the Moline Viking Club.  He was on the Board of Directors of Forsberg Village, the Orion Soccer Club, and DANK Quad Cities Chapter.

Survivors include their son, Jens (Judy) Rehder, Andover, IL, grandchildren, Major Anna (Sean) Scott USAF, Alamo Heights, Texas, and Paul (Nicole) Rehder, Brookhaven, GA, Jeffrey (Angela) Hyett, Dalton City, IL; great granddaughter, Amanda Hyett, Brookings, SD, and Eleanor Rehder Scott, Alamo Heights, TX, and one baby on the way – Baby Girl Scott; Rita’s sisters, Ruth and Lisa of Germany.

Ernst was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sisters, Paula Wilstermann and Hannedete Ohden.  Rita was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; Klaus, Emil (MIA WWII), Ernie, and Peter; Rita’s three sisters; Frieda, Ulla, and Gertrude.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.