Alice M. (Birk) Ahrens

Alice Ahrens, 85, of Jackson, passed away Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born October 3, 1937, in Cape Girardeau, to Martin and Martha Best Birk. She was baptized October 24, 1937, and confirmed March 18, 1951, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit, also the church of her marriage to Charles Ahrens, on April 28, 1957. Alice was a lifelong, faithful member of Immanuel Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on the bereavement committee, and was a member of the altar guild and ladies aid. Alice was a graduate of the former Immanuel Lutheran Grade School in Tilsit, and was a 1955 graduate of Jackson High School. Alice worked several years at the Hosiery Mill in Jackson, drove a school bus 34 years for Jackson R-2 School District, and enjoyed farming with Charles. Alice enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and quilting, but above all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren. Loving survivors include her husband of 65 years, Charles Ahrens of Jackson; three children, Catherine (Stephen) Golden of Burfordville, Missouri, Barbara (Gary) Gholson of Jackson, and Larry (Susan) Ahrens of Jackson; eight grandchildren, Matthew Golden, Gregory, David, and Sara Gholson, Landon, Anna, Asher, and Kasen Ahrens; two brothers, Glen (Alice) Birk of Jackson, Donald (Linda) Birk of Eldorado Springs, Missouri; and two sisters-in-law, Melba (late Norman) Brase of Cape Girardeau and Nora (the late Orville) Ahrens of Jackson. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two adult brothers, Loyd (Vera) Birk and Orville (Mary) Birk, and an infant brother. The family appreciates memorial contributions to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the church Cemetery Fund. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2023, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 10 a.m. to service time, Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. The Rev. Mark Boettcher will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Immanuel Church. Alice's eight grandchildren will serve as her pallbearers, and she will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above this article.