Ahrendt, Fred 1859-1938

AHRENDT, RENKEN, OTTO, CRAMER

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/10/2012 at 10:56:00

The LeMars Globe-Post
May 16, 1938

FRED AHRENDT TAKEN BY DEATH
Well Known Grant Township Resident Laid To Rest Monday.

Death claimed Fred Ahrendt, a well known retired farmer living in Grant township, who passed away at his home Friday morning at the age of 79 years. Mr. Ahrendt had not been in good health and had been confined to his bed several months.

Fred Ahrendt was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on March 31, 1859, and was the son of Fred and Sophia Ahrendt. He received his education in the public schools of his native land and after completing his education, he came to the United States with his mother, following the death of her husband. He was first employed as a farm hand in Plymouth County, later purchasing his own land and took up farming for himself.
[Additional text found in his obituary published LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, May 17, 1938 ****”Mr. Ahrendt lived on the farm he owned and where he died, for 51 years. He was a fine citizen and neighbor and prominent in affairs of the community. He was one of the first members of Christ Lutheran Church in Grant township and helped in the building of the present church edifice 59 years ago.”]

In 1903, he actively retired from the farm, but continued to make his home there.

In 1893, Fred Ahrendt was united in marriage to Gesche Cramer and to this union eight children were born. Surviving besides the widow are his children: Mrs. Henry Renken, Ireton; Miss Emma Ahrendt, at home; F. G. Ahrendt, Davenport, Washington; Henry Ahrendt, at home; Mrs. Carl Renken, LeMars; Mrs. Fred Otto, LeMars; Carl Ahrendt, LeMars; Bennie Ahrendt, LeMars. One brother, Carl Ahrendt, LeMars; two sisters, Mrs. August Muecke, LeMars; and Mrs. Herman Muecke, Lahoma, Oklahoma. There are also 14 grandchildren who mourn his passing.

Funeral services were held at two o’clock Monday afternoon from the Grant township Lutheran Church with Rev. F. Bunge, officiating. Burial was made in the Grant township cemetery under the direction of the Sioux Co-operative Funeral Association.

Mr. Ahrendt was a prominent member of the German Lutheran Church; he having helped build the present church about 49 [sic 59?] years ago.
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Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, May 19, 1938

Death of Mrs. Henry Renken's Father

Fred Ahrendt, 79, of Plymouth county, widely known farmer and stock raiser, passed away at his home last Friday following a lingering illness. He had been confined to his bed for several months.

Funeral services were held at the Christ Lutheran church in Grant township Monday afternoon with Rev. F. Bunge in charge. Interment was made in Grant township cemetery.

Fred Ahrendt was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, March 31, 1859, where he grew to young manhood and received his education. When a youth of 19 he came to America and on his arrival in Plymouth county he worked as a farm hand four years and then engaged in farming for himself. He lived on the farm he owned and where he died for 51 years. He was one of the first members of the Christ Lutheran church in Grant township and helped in the building of the present church edifice 59 years ago.

He was married March 21, 1893, to Gresche Cramer, who survives him, with four sons and four daughters. The children are Mrs. Henry Renken, Ireton; Emma and Henry Ahrendt at home; F. G. Ahrendt, Davenport, Wash.; Mrs. Carl Renken, Mrs. Fred Otto and Carl and Bennie Ahrendt of LeMars. He also leaves 14 grandchildren.