Ralph Ahrens

Ralph H. Ahrens, age 78 of Melrose, died Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at the Lakewood Hospital in Staples, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Ralph Herman Ahrens was born March 7, 1931 in Melrose, Minnesota to Henry and Elizabeth (Hallermann) Ahrens. He was united in marriage to Monica A. Dickhaus on November 23, 1954 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Ralph owned and operated a farm 3 miles west of Melrose until his retirement in 1995.He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Ralph enjoyed gardening, cutting wood, and fixing things out on the farm. He loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and also his dog and cat.

Survivors include his wife, Monica Ahrens of Melrose; children, Allan (Leah) Ahrens of Sauk Centre, Mary (Roger) Frieler of Yankton, SD, Henry (Jan) Ahrens of Melrose, Philip (Rebecca) Ahrens of Paynesville, Jeffrey (Wanda) Ahrens of Greenwald, and Michele (Mark) Winter of Rockville; 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorraine Uphoff of Melrose and Marcella Meyer of Melrose; and sister-in-law, Caroline Ahrens of Grey Eagle.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; son, Karl Ahrens; brother, Norbert Ahrens; and brothers-in-law, Jerome Meyer and Ray Uphoff.

Serving as casket bearers will be Henry Ahrens, Philip Ahrens, Allan Ahrens, Roger Frieler, Joey Frieler, and Mark Winter. Cross bearer will be Michele Winter and scripture bearer will be Jeff Ahrens. Honorary casket bearers will be all of Ralph's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.