Criswell, Vesta D. 1913-2010

CRISWELL, LEHRMAN, KUECKER, AHRENDSEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/3/2010 at 09:05:48

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, May 21, 2010

Vesta D. Criswell, 96, of Le Mars, died Monday, May 17, 2010, at The Abbey of Le Mars.

Vesta Dorothy Lehrman was born June 5, 1913, on the family farm southwest of Orange City, the daughter of Frank and Emma (Kuecker) Lehrman. She was the oldest of the children and the only daughter.

Vesta was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ireton. She attended country school until eighth grade. Vesta was united in marriage to Peter Ahrendsen on May 2, 1934 at the home of his parents. In 1941, Vesta and Peter moved to a farm north of Le Mars where they farmed until Peter died in December 1968. Vesta continued to live on the farm until February 1969 when Bonita and she moved to Le Mars.

Vesta was united in marriage to Ervin Criswell, Jan. 21, 1987. Vesta and Ervin enjoyed traveling and spending time at their lake home near Slayton, Minn.

Vesta always enjoyed traveling and going to dances, she especially enjoyed polkas and waltzes. She worked as an Avon representative for a number of years.

She was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars and enjoyed attending and volunteering with church functions.

Survivors include her children, Darlene Feller and her husband Ralph of Le Mars and Bonita McLarnan and her husband Philip of Humboldt; two stepchildren, Dennis Criswell and his wife Carol of Tucson, Ariz., and Katy Steffens and her husband Dan of Lansinburg, Mich.; five grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Lehrman of Le Mars and Jean Dykstra of Orange City; and several nieces and nephews.

Vesta was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Emma (Kuecker) Lehrman; her husbands, Peter Ahrendsen in December 1968 and Ervin Criswell in December 2007; two brothers, Lester and Frank Lehrman, and a half-brother Darrell Lehrman.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Tim Geitz officiating. Interment will be at the Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue Monday morning from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Pallbearers include Darin Minar, Scott Burris, Dustin Miller, Nickolas Minar, Michael Miller, and Benjamin Feller.

Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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