Pauline was the daughter of Michael Benkowski and Pauline Hemschrot. She was born in the former Prussian region of Posen.

She had three siblings: Johan Wilhelm, Ottilia Mathilda and Augusta.

Pauline married Friedrich Ehlers on April 30, 1886.

They were the parents of twelve children: Martha, Lydia Augusta, Emma Pauline, Clara, Henry August, Fredie William, William Albert, Albert Edward, Edward Ernest, Lillian Lydia and Herman Herbert.

Mrs. Fred Ehlers -1929

Tuesday marked the passing of one of the county's early settlers, Mrs. Fred Ehlers, residing near Leonard. Death came unexpectedly, the result of a stroke from which she did not recover.
Mrs. Ehlers, wife of Fred Ehlers, was born in Germany on May 16, 1868 and was 61 years, 5 months and 6 days old when called by her Master.
At the age of nine years she came to the United States. In 1886 she was united in marriage to Fred Ehlers at Lester Prairie, Minnesota. Later they moved to the present homestead near Leonard where they have resided for the past 31 years.
Surviving Mrs. Ehlers is her husband, five sons, Henry, Freddie, Willie, Albert, Edward, four daughters, Martha, Emma, Clara, and Ella; two sisters, Mrs. L. Tonn of Lester Prairie and Mrs. August Ide of Buffalo Lake, three sons in law, Frank Bailey, Fritz Johnson, and Levi Lenuson and eight grandchildren. One son and one daughter preceded her in death.
In the passing of Mrs. Ehlers the community has again lost one who commanded the love and respect of all. A pleasant and helpful neighbor, and ardent worker for her church, and a loving wife and mother. She has gone to her reward.
Funeral services will be held from the home tomorrow (Friday) at 1 o'clock and the Zion Church, near the village at 2 o'clock. Funeral directors Cease and Neujahr of Bagley in charge of arrangements.