Leonard William Ahrens

            Leonard William Ahrens, age 87, of Tilsit, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019 at his home with his family by his side.

            He was born Jan. 18, 1932 near Tilsit, at the home of his parents, Paul and Hulda Aufdenberg Ahrens.  He and Clara King were married Nov. 2, 1952 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit, by the late Rev. H.J. Stricker. 

            Leonard was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran where he was a Sunday school teacher for many years.  He was a 1950 graduate of Jackson High School and farmed from 1950 to 1969.  He then drove a truck for Ceramo Company in Jackson, with Clara often accompanying him on his routes.  He later drove for Semo Dairy, retiring in 2000.

            Leonard was a family man.  He enjoyed watching and playing with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren; fishing; hunting; working in the garden and keeping the yard and pond looking nice.  He was a very caring person who loved having all the family together; his family and church were the most important things in his life.

            In addition to his wife of 66 years, Clara Ahrens, loving survivors include five daughters, Karen (Rev. David) Kern of Dorsey Illinois, Sharon (Walter) Rosborg of Jackson, Saundra (Brad) Birk of Jackson, Carolyn (Gary) Gerecke of Gordonville and Patsy Green of Jackson; 11 grandchildren, Teri Rosborg, Erik (Jamie) Rosborg, Angela Rosborg, Michelle (Brent) Lichtenegger, Derek (Angela) Birk, Megan (J.P.) Sides, Kendal (Emily) Green, Leah (Adam) Henley, Brandon (Hannah) Gerecke all of Jackson, Sarah (Rev. Mark) Witte of Monroe, Michigan and Lisa Kern of Jacksonville, Florida.

          Also surviving are 24 great-grandchildren, Luke, Jonah, Seth, and Anya Witte of Monroe, Collin, Abigail and Logan Rosborg, Gavin Bruno, Hayley Rosborg, Kaleb Kiefer, Garrett and Hannah Lichtenegger, Bryce and Braxtyn Sides, Cole and Brooklynn Birk, Cooper Green, Chase, Tucker and Madilynn Henley, Fendten, Lynlie, Avynn and Hesston Gerecke all of Jackson; a brother-in-law, Nelson Sebastian and a sister-in-law, Erma Call of Jackson, and a brother-in-law, David (Mary) King of Fuguay Varina, North Carolina.

          He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby sister, Leona; a granddaughter, Letisha
Gerecke and two sisters, Luella Stadt and Elvira Sebastian.

The visitation will be Monday, April 22, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and Tuesday from 9:30 AM to time of service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.

            Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the church with the Rev. Mark Boettcher officiating.

Interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Tilsit.

            The family suggests that contributions be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. 

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