In 1942, he went into the Army to help win World War II. When his military service ended in 1945, he returned to Sac City and worked in a furniture store. He later owned an appliance store. He never did earn his high school diploma.

The 107-year-old Sac City resident made up for that on Sunday.

He was presented an honorary diploma during the commencement ceremony for the East Sac High School Class of 2025.

Von Ehwegen was in his late 80s when the members of the Class of 2025 were born.

He posed for photos with the class members before the ceremony.

“Those kids were pretty excited to have him around,” said East Sac High School Principal Tony Tedesco.

He said most of the graduates did not know anything about Von Ehwegen and his honorary diploma before they arrived at the school and met him Sunday.

Tedesco recalled that Von Ehwegen “sounded pretty excited” when he was told he would receive an honorary diploma.

The award of the diploma emerged from efforts to plan a parade this summer in Sac City. Tedesco said the Sac City Chamber of Commerce was looking for the oldest graduate of the local high school to ride in the parade. Parade planners quickly thought of Von Ehwegen, who is the oldest resident of the community, but found out he was not a high school graduate. Eventually, Tedesco was contacted and the process of approving an honorary diploma was started.

During the commencement ceremony, Von Ehwegen sat behind the graduating class. Tedesco came down off the stage to present his honorary diploma to him at his seat.

According to Tedesco, Von Ehwegen still lives independently in his own home.