Obit: Ahrens, Henry Paul (1934 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ahrens, Albrecht, Carr, Fink, Fischer, Hadler, Langenhahn, Liebers, Lotharius, Mihalek, Moser, Schult, Stelzl, Wilichowski, Woller

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 11/13/2018

Ahrens, Henry Paul (2 MAR 1934 - 11 NOV 2018)

Henry Paul Ahrens, age 84, went to spend eternity with his beloved wife of 57 years, Elizabeth “Liz”, on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Henry went to his heavenly home on the Ahrens family farm surrounded by his loving family.

Henry was born on March 2, 1934, in the Town of Cassel, son of the late Walter and Frances Ahrens. On June 19, 1954, Henry married the love of his life, Elizabeth Jean “Liz” Schult, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Town of Maine. Together Henry and Liz started their family on the Ahrens homestead, where they raised six children, 17 foster children, and watched their family grow with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When it came to Henry’s family he would do anything for them.

Henry was proud to be a lifelong dairy farmer, milking cows until 2016. In his early years Henry held many titles, including the local Mr. Fix-it, milk hauler, Renk corn dealer and bartender at Poplar Tree Ballroom. Besides farming, Henry’s favorite job was driving school bus, which he did for 37 years, for the Marathon School District before retiring in 2010. All of the children enjoyed having Henry as a driver, so much so they would fight over who got to ride in his bus.

After a long day working on the farm, whether it be milking cows, working on a John Deere tractor or bailing hay, Henry could be found on the front porch or around the kitchen table with his family and friends enjoying polka music, a slice of cheese and a cold beer. The walls of their home will long echo with life lessons and Henry’s many stories, all told with a child-like sideways grin and a twinkle in his eyes. Some lessons learned were you could never go wrong with a Ford truck or a John Deere tractor; if you’re not feeling well, work a bit harder; and almost anything can be fixed with a bit of baler twine and ingenuity. Henry also enjoyed attending toy shows and collecting toy tractors, preferably John Deere.

Survivors include his children, Roger (Janet), Kenneth (Kathleen), Nancy, Mark (Kathy), Brian (Ann) and Leon (Connie), all of Marathon. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jodi (Chris) Langenhahn, Jami (Frank) Lotharius, Autumn (Steve) Stelzl, Sarah Fink (Chad Fischer), Carrie (Willie) Albrecht, Scott Fink, Melissa (Derek) Wilichowski, Matt (Jackie) Ahrens, Kellie (Garrett) Carr, Adam (Tiffany) Ahrens and David Ahrens; as well as 11 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; special foster daughter, Charlotte (Bill) Mihalek; and his favorite dog, “Buster.”

Beside his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Liz Ahrens; sisters, Laura Liebers, Dorothy Woller and Adeline Moser; and his brother, Ervin. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Church, 206 Hemlock Street, Marathon. The Reverend Jon Hadler will preside. Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Friday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. until the time of service. All will take place at the church. Burial will follow at St. Matthew’s Cemetery.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, especially Shelly for her support and assistance.