Donald Henry Ahrens

Donald Henry Ahrens, the son of Henry John and Emma Elizabeth (Ross) Ahrens was born August 26, 1929 at rural Davenport, Nebraska. He departed this life on March 15, 2017 at Thayer County Health Services in Hebron, Nebraska at the age of 87. Don grew up on the family farm at rural Davenport doing farm chores with livestock and field work, first with horse drawn equipment and later with a tractor. He had a gift of being mechanically inclined. He attended school at Kiowa, Nebraska and was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Kiowa on April 18, 1943 by Pastor Royden Frese. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Joan Coney on May 10, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pilger, Nebraska. This union was blessed with two daughters, Patricia Kay and Cheryl Fay. Following their marriage, Don and Marilyn resided for a short time in Lincoln and Seward, Nebraska. In 1954 they moved to rural Davenport and in 1957 they moved into Davenport where they currently resided. Don was a wonderful father and husband who always lead the family prayer at meals and holiday gatherings. In his early years, he started working for service stations, trucking and sand and gravel businesses. He farmed for a few years and then in February of 1966, he went into business with Roy Wittrock and Dale Wittrock. He operated a cattle and livestock trucking business and the North Side Tavern and Café in Davenport until 1991. He also did contract hauling of pivot irrigation systems across the United States for Reinke Manufacturing Company. When his daughters were younger, he enjoyed vacations with his family in the summer. The family enjoyed traveling to many of the National Parks and fishing and boating with friends and their families. He served on the Davenport town board for 16 years and was Chairman of the Board for a number of years. He was a member of the Izaak Walton League of Deshler and enjoyed cooking for the meetings and for the annual consignment sale. He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Davenport and he and Marilyn enjoyed attending services and many church activities. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling to south Texas in the winter and attending music jams and visiting with the many friends he and Marilyn made in Texas. He enjoyed polka and country music. He continued to work in his retirement business, Davenport Iron and Metal, working many days with one of his partners, Dale Wittrock. He enjoyed attending the annual Ross Reunion every June and visiting with his many specials cousins and relatives. He served as a member of the Davenport Cemetery Board since 1989. Don lived an active life until he fell ill on March 10. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Leonard, brothers-in-law, Stanley Coney, Rolland Coney, and LeRoy James, sisters-in-law, Marcelene Ahrens, Nancy Funk, Carol James and Norma Coney. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughers Patricia Keleman of Hebron and Cheryl Walburn of Lincoln, grandchildren, Brett Walburn and wife Melissa of Lincoln, Jerod Walburn and wife Molly of Los Angeles, CA, Brittany Walburn, Casey Pratt and Carson Pratt, all of Lincoln, brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles & Hannah Coney of Ames, IA, Larry & Jearleen Coney of Onawa, IA, Norman & Donna Firkins of Omaha, NE, and Larry Funk of Akaska, SD, nieces and nephews and a host of relatives. Funeral services were held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Davenport with Pastor Brian Francik officiating. Internment was at St. Peter’s Lutheran cemetery in Davenport. Pallbearers were Brett Walburn, Jerod Walburn, Carson Pratt, Rod Watson, Gary Ahrens, and David Funk. Honorary pallbearers were Kent Ahrens, Dale Wittrock, Allen Boss, Richard Lawson, Mark Bergt, Fred Schmidt, Robert Stofer, and Marvin Holtzen.

Memorials are suggested to family choice.