Ahrens, Henry C. 1888-1978

AHRENS, KAISAND, ADKINS, PARMLEY, COPELAND, STEVENS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/18/2013 at 16:15:25

HENRY AHRENS SERVICES HELD

Henry C. Ahrens, 90, of Rte. 2, Grinnell, died Wednesday at St. Francis Manor, where he had lived since 1973.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Morris Hay, pastor of the Hickory Grove Church, officiating. Music was provided by Kathleen Heffner, organist, and Ruth Ann Dayton, vocalist.

Pallbearers were Carl Ahrens, Claude Ahrens, Donald Ahrens, Garold Dhondt, George Stevens and Laird Wray. Flower bearers were Helen Dhondt and Mary Muckler. Burial was at Hazelwood Cemetery.

The son of John and Christina Kaisand Ahrens, he was born March 3, 1888, in Sheridan Township. He attended rural schools north of Grinnell. On July 15, 1908, he was married to Geneva Adkins in Newton. Following their marriage, they homesteaded a farm near Winner, S.D., returning to Iowa in 1913 and farming in Poweshiek and Jasper counties until 1919 when they moved to their farm west of Grinnell.

Mr. Ahrens was the first master of the Victor Grange and a charter member of the Grange for over 56 years. He also served as a township trustee and on the school board in Rock Creek Township. He had been a member of the Farm Bureau for many years.

Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Hollis (Verona) Parmley of Rte. 2; his son, Leo Ahrens, also of Rte. 2; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and John Ahrens; two sisters, Mrs. Kate Copeland and Mrs. Helen Stevens; and one infant daughter, Leta Grace.