Obituary of Jean Ahrenstorff

Velma Jean Ahrenstorff, known to many as “Grandma Jean”, daughter of Fred C. and Louise “Lucy” (Rausch) Nelson, was born on a farm six miles south of Moneta, IA on May 18, 1921. She spent her childhood in Moneta and Spencer, IA, and at 12 years of age, she gave her heart to the Lord at Christian Endeavor Club. She graduated from Spencer High School and worked at JC Penney and Fran’s Dress Shop in Hartley, IA. On September 12, 1940 she married Lyle Eugene “Barney” Ahrenstorff at Christian Church in Spencer, which no one knew for a few days. They spent their first eight years of marriage in the tenant house on the farm by Hartley, without the luxury of running water. Eventually, they purchased their farm where they raised their three sons: Dennis, Rodney, and Robert. They worked together here for 43 years, and continued helping Dennis on the farm even after moving to Hartley in 1983. Barney and Jean had been married 67 years when Barney passed away in 2008. They had enjoyed spending time with family and friends, small get-togethers, playing cards, and following their sons in sports activities. Many things brought joy to Jean, but foremost was serving others because of her love for Christ. She was an active member of the Hartley United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women’s Group, Friday Club, 500 Card Club, O’Brien County Historical Society, and actively participated in restoring the chapel at the cemetery. She will be remembered for teaching Sunday School for over 40 years and volunteering at the elementary school for many years. She was honored with the Governor’s Volunteer Award and Hartley’s Citizen of the Year in 1993. She was also Queen of the Hartley Threshing Bee in 1995 and Grand Marshal in 2011. Anyone who knew her would have tasted one of her thousands of wedding or birthday cakes she made, shared in noon dinners, or received flowers, cards, or cookies for a special occasion…or just because. She passed away peacefully at the Health Center in Hartley on Monday, August 17, 2015 at the age of 94. Left to cherish her memory are her three sons: Dennis Ahrenstorff of Hartley, IA, Rodney Ahrenstorff of Hartley, IA, Robert (Robin) Ahrenstorff of Ogden, UT; five grandchildren: Natalie (Matt) Olson of Salt Lake City, UT, Ashley (Thaddeus) Wendt of South Weber, UT, Josh (Ashley) Ahrenstorff of Cedar Falls, IA, Paul (Amanda) Ahrenstorff of Hartley, IA, and Mat Ahrenstorff of Hartley, IA; six great-grandchildren: Hunter, Hoyt, Thaddeus (TJ), Gideon, Ava, and Elle; sister-in-law, Ruth Vetter; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barney; her parents; two brothers: Byron and Gerald; one sister, Dorothy and her husband, Ralph "Pete" Pederson; sister-in-law, Arlene and husband, Gaylen Klinker; a special friend, Sandeanne Vetter; and brother-in-law, Marlin Vetter. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean’s name may be given to Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon, the United Methodist Church in Hartley, or the restoration of the Hartley Cemetery’s chapel. Celebration of Life Jean Ahrenstorff Born ~ May 18, 1921 Died ~ August 17, 2015 Age ~ 94 years 2 months 29 days Memorial Service Tuesday, August 25, 2015 ~ 10:30 a.m. United Methodist Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Steve Campbell Organist ~ Deb Bleeker Congregational Singing Processional ~ "In the Garden" "Take My Life and Let It Be" "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Recessional ~ "How Great Thou Art" Pallbearers Joshua Ahrenstorff Paul Ahrenstorff Mat Ahrenstorff Craig Goth Gale Vetter Jim Klinker Honorary Pallbearers Natalie Olson Ashley Wendt Wally Tschopp Spencer Goth Hayden Goth Lauren Goth Seth McCarty Kenny Kerns Orville Tewes Leroy Steffens Roger Nelson Gary Lohr Ushers Ron Sterk ~ Steve Byers Burial Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/HRMDCPF8JHQXXNR9" width="512"></iframe>