Darlene Ahrens

Darlene S. Ahrens, age 67 of Sauk Centre, died Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Arlie Sowada officiating. Interment will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Ward Springs.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Chapel in Grey Eagle. Christian Mothers will pray at 6:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Friday evening.

Darlene Ahrens was born September 6, 1938 in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to Edward and Veronica (Stueve) Jacobs. She was united in marriage to William J. Ahrens on June 2, 1960 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Upsala. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Melrose Township, Stearns County. After William died, Darlene began working as a housekeeper at St. Michael's Hospital and Nursing Home for 10 years. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and gardening. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle and the Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her children, Deborah Tauer and her husband, Joseph of Hutchinson, Dale Ahrens and his wife, Patsy of Grey Eagle, Denise Clifton of Sauk Rapids, Dean Ahrens and his wife, Susan of Grey Eagle, Dennis Ahrens and his wife, Nancy of Sauk Centre, Donna Ringler and her husband, Tony of Grantsburg, Wisconsin and Daniel Ahrens of Grey Eagle; 18 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Delores Roerick and her husband, Edmund of Upsala, Vernon Jacobs and his wife, Mary of Melrose, Marion Kurtz of Albany, Gerald Jacobs and his wife, Mary of Opole, Carol Ann Ritter of Long Prairie and Virgil Jacobs of Upsala.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Ahrens on September 29, 1993; sister, Lillian Veldkamp; one infant brother; and godchild, Leo Jacobs.

Serving as casket bearers will be Alfred Jacobs, Ronnie Jacobs, Gary Van Heel, Jim Ritter, Tim Ritter and Scott Ritter. Serving as cross bearer will be Jana Ahrens and scripture bearer will be Chris Ahrens.