John Andrew Ahlstrom 1924-2006

CHRISTENSEN, AHLSTROM, SHOGREN, JOHNSON, ANDERSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/28/2006 at 18:41:17

John Ahlstrom

John A. Ahlstrom, 82, of Waukon, Iowa, died Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 24, at First Baptist Church in Waukon with Pastor Danny Volbrecht and Pastor Marlan Mincks officiating. Burial with graveside military rites was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

John Andrew Ahlstrom was born February 3, 1924, in Waukon, the son of Robert and Nellie A. (Christensen) Ahlstrom. John was baptized at Center Baptist Church rural Lansing, Iowa. He attended Center No. 2 country school and Waukon High School. John served in the US Navy from December 9, 1941, to February 12, 1947, as an Aviation Metalsmith first class with duty in the South Pacific, West Coast, and East Coast. While in the service he received his GED. Following the service John attended Waukon Junior College.

October 18, 1949, he married Arleen Shogren at First Baptist Church in Waukon. After they were married they farmed in Center Township for eight years. John then went to work for Eaton Dairy Supplies and Repair in Waukon for several years. He also worked as a Postal Carrier in Waukon and rural Allamakee County for more than 25 years before retiring in 1985.

John was a former member of Center Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and served as the vice chairman. After moving to Waukon he was a member of First Baptist Church serving as a deacon and teaching Sunday school. He sang for funerals, weddings, and in the Barber Shop Chorus. John was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, camping, hunting, and traveling to area race tracks to watch late model race cars. John also enjoyed doing anything mechanical, but was most proud of the Massey Ferguson 44 that he restored.

Survivors include his wife, Arleen, and a son, Doug Ahlstrom, both of Waukon; a daughter, Cheryl (Chad) Johnson of Richfield, Minn; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Harriet Anderson.

Casketbearers were Colin, Brian, and Justin Ahlstrom, Mike Sweeney, and Chad and Adam Johnson.

Waukon Standard, June 28, 2006