Ahrens, Henry H. 1871-1955

AHRENS, QUIRL, SCHULTZ, HAGENLOCK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/17/2011 at 07:40:54

The Grinnell, Iowa Herald-Register; Jan. 3, 1955

HENRY AHRENS DIES SATURDAY AT HOSPITAL

Henry H. Ahrens, resident of the Grinnell community most of his lifetime and a retired farmer, died on New Years Day, Jan. 1 at a local hospital. He was 83 years old.

Mr. Ahrens, son of John Ahrens and his wife Margaret Quirl, was born on a farm in Iowa township, Iowa County on May 6, 1871. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith.

As a young man he moved with the family to a farm in Sheridan Township. On April 2, 1895 he was united in marriage to Ida Schultz in a ceremony performed in the Schultz home. After a brief stay in the Sheridan area, the young couple moved to Malcom Township. The deceased made his home for a while on Elm Street in Grinnell, then again moved to his farm east of Grinnell on Hiway Six and finally back to Grinnell. He had lived at 1839 6th Avenue since 1926.

Mr. Ahrens was preceded in death by his wife; both of his children, Lester and Nellie; three brothers, Fred, Albert and Will; and one sister, Anna Hagenlock. Survivors include a daughter in law, Mrs. Lola Ahrens of Grinnell and her two boys, Richard and Robert; and other nieces and nephews and a host of old friends.

Mr. Ahrens was an active member of St. John's Lutheran church in Grinnell for many years. He served for a term as a deacon in the church and was always vitally interested in its welfare. The deceased enjoyed exceptionally fine health for most of his life but for the last year gradually began to fail. The death of his daughter, Nellie, a week ago undoubtedly contributed to the suddenness of his passing. He left this world quietly on Saturday morning January 1. He had been taken to a local hospital, where his death came, only the evening before. He had reached the advanced age of 83 years, 7 months and 25 days.

Funeral services for Mr. Ahrens were Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the St. John's Lutheran church, Rev. Donald Loots, officiating and interment was in Trinity Lutheran cemetery. Soloist was Terry McKean, and organist was Mrs. Waldo Johnson. Flower Committee was Mrs. Wesley Ahrens and Mrs. Della Coburn and pallbearers were Raymond Bangham, Elmer Burnson, Walter Oltrogge, Wesley Ahrens, Sam Urfer, Erwin Schultz. James Funeral Home was in charge of the service.