John Ahrens

John Floyd Ahrens, our amazing father lived a life centered on Christ and Family. Dad was born on March 2, 1928, in Wausau to Adeline (Lena) and John Ahrens. He was raised in Wausau and played football, basketball, and was on the student council in high school. After graduating, he joined the Army Air Corp and is a veteran of WWII. When he returned home, he earned his B.S. degree from Michigan Tech and met the love of his life, Gloria Laffin. They were wed on June 19, 1954. During their 60 years of marriage, they were blessed with two children, Corleen (O'Malley) and John Henry.

Dad had deep faith and always looked on the positive side of life. He did not pass judgment, he was supportive in every way he could be. He was someone his family and friends could openly talk with. Even in the tough times, he would be there with a helping hand for you.

His love for Jesus and the Church was his foundation. Faithfully and actively he attended Thursday and Sunday morning Bible study while serving in many areas of the church. As his health declined, his presence at Church has been greatly missed, however his spirit will remain.

The American Legion Post 10 of Wausau was almost like our second home. Like the Church, Dad devoted his time and energies to the many important programs the Legion provided to veterans and their families. He held a variety of leadership positions before being elected to the Post Commander position. He found his passion to be the Children and Youth Committee. He took great pride in awarding the annual scholarships to the many deserving youth of our community and advocated for expanding the role of the Legion with the children of the community.

Dad was a successful Mechanical Lubrication Engineer with Amoco Oil for many years. After beginning his career in Chicago, he was thrilled when he could accept a transfer and bring his family home to Wausau to raise his children with their entire family. While we were in grade school, Amoco offered Dad a promotion and a job back at Headquarters in Chicago. Dad asked us our opinion; he weighed the pros and cons, and sacrificed his career for his family. We remained in Wausau. Thank you Dad.

Dad also enjoyed the privacy of living in the woods. He loved to putter in the yard. He would start a fire and add to the flame by picking up sticks in the yard. In a lawn chair, he would relax with a cigar and a beer and listen to the Brewers. We will always remember the fun times we spent as a family; camping, snowmobiling, playing cards, golfing, dinners around the table, etc. Deer hunting with his son and the Laffin family was always a highlight of the year.

Our Dad, John F. Ahrens, was 86 when he passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Our parents provided a solid family foundation for us and we are very proud of them. Now, as parents ourselves, we will carry on their legacy.

Survivors include daughter, Corleen (Don) O'Malley, Wausau; son, John Henry (Staci), Minnesota; grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle, Kelsey, Billy (Joanna), Donny (Natalie), Bryan, Paige, Sierra, Cassidy and Trevor John; great-grandchildren, Patrick, Shannon and Pearl; brother Ed (Ginny) Ahrens and sister Joann Hellrud; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Dad was preceded in death by his wife (our mom), Gloria; his special friend, Brenda Bullock; his mother, Lena; father, John; brothers, Melvin and Clarence.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 14, 2014 at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Visitation will be again from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 15 at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau. At 10:00 the funeral service will be officiated by Rev. Steven Gjerde. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. To celebrate the amazing life God blessed our Dad with, we will return to Zion for a luncheon. Please sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.

In Christ, Corleen and John Henry