Joseph & Helena (Rohenkohl) Ahlers

ROHENKOHL, AHLERS, KOEHLER, KERTELS, GRIFFIN

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 3/13/2020 at 20:11:58

Joseph Ahlers was born in New Vienna, May 12, 1883. Joseph married Helena Rohenkohl on June 28, 1911 in Dyersville. Helena was born on May 10, 1877 and was a school teacher for 15 years before their marriage. The Ahlers resided in Holy Cross before moving to Farley in 1913 where Joe was engaged in harness making, later purchasing a general hardware store from Schmitt and Lawler in the early 1920’s. When buying the store, which was located where the Memorial Hall now stands, he moved the inventory across the street to the K and C Building. They operated this store until Helena passed away in 1945. Joseph died June 22, 1967.

The Ahlers had one daughter, Mary. Mary Ahlers and her husband, Leander Koehler opened Lee’s Corner Café in Sept. 1949 located on the SE corner of First Street and 2nd Avenue. Lee Koehler died in August 1950. The Koehler’s had two sons, Bill and Jim. Mary married a second time in 1953 to Leo Griffin. She continued the Café business until 1957 when she sold it to Laura Belle and Willie Kertels.

The History of Farley, Iowa - Copyright 1996 - Welu Printing Co.