Ahrendt, Bennie Emil 1913-2009

AHRENDT, CRAMER, SCHULZ

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2009 at 13:44:32

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, February 12, 2009

Bennie Ahrendt, 95, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars.

Bennie Emil Ahrendt was born Dec. 7, 1913, on the family farm in Grant Township, Plymouth County, to Friedrich and Gesche (Cramer) Ahrendt. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church (Grant Township). He attended country school near his home. When Bennie finished his education he farmed with his family.

On Dec. 9, 1936, Bennie and Gladys Schulz were united in marriage at her parents' home in Craig. The couple made their home on a farm in Elgin Township, north of Le Mars. In 1975 Bennie and Gladys retired from farming and moved to Le Mars. In 2004, Bennie moved to Park Place Estates where he received wonderful care. For the last month he was a resident of Good Samaritan Village.

Bennie was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. He taught Sunday School and ushered for many services. In earlier years he was a member of Christ Lutheran Church where he also taught Sunday School.

Bennie enjoyed many activities like walking, fishing, bowling, gardening and singing in the church choirs. He also volunteered his spare time at Good Samaritan Village.

Bennie will be lovingly remembered by his son Stan Ahrendt and his wife Marlene, daughters Diane Bainter, and Susan Ahrendt, all of Sioux City; three grandchildren, Brian Ahrendt and his wife Debra Bengtson-Ahrendt of Bloomington, Ill., Bruce Ahrendt and his wife Cinthia of Coral Gables, Fla., and Molly Taylor and her husband Damian of Sioux City; five great-grandchildren Jesse Bengtson-Ahrendt, David Bengtson-Ahrendt, Christopher Ahrendt, Sabrina Taylor, and Andrew Ahrendt; two sisters-in-law Virginia Schulz of Le Mars and Arlene McHale of Craig; a brother-in-law, Herman Schulz and his wife Marlene of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Gladys on Jan. 21, 2004; an infant son Wesley; and siblings Amanda Renken, Fred Ahrendt, Emma Ahrendt, Henry Ahrendt, Marie Renken, Rieka Otto and Carl Ahrendt.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church (Grant Township), rural Le Mars. The Rev. Gary Landsness will officiate. Burial will follow at Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service set for 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service on Saturday.