Obituary of Lyle Eugene Ahrenstorff

Lyle Eugene “Barney” Ahrenstorff, the son of Ernest and Dora (Sauer) Ahrenstorff, was born on May 25, 1918 on a farm north of Hartley. He attended country school and later high school at Hartley graduating in 1937. Gene was united in marriage to Velma Jean Nelson on September 12, 1940 in Spencer, IA. Following their marriage, the couple moved to a farm north of Hartley. The couple was blessed with three boys, Dennis, Rodney and Robert. They were engaged in farming for 43 years together. In 1983 they moved into Hartley, but Gene continued to help his son Dennis on the family farm for several years. Gene passed away at his residence on April 7, 2008 at the age of 89. Gene was a member of the United Methodist Church of Hartley. In his spare time and in retirement years he enjoyed playing cards, studying geography and history, but most of all he enjoyed family get togethers. Left to cherish his memory: his wife of 67 years, Jean; three sons: Dennis Ahrenstorff, of Hartley, IA, Rodney Ahrenstorff, of Hartley, IA, and Robert Ahrenstorff and his wife, Robin, of Ogden, UT; five grandchildren: Natalie Ahrenstorff of Shelton, WA, Ashley Wendt and her husband, Thaddeus, of Ogden, UT, Josh Ahrenstorff of Cedar Falls, IA, Paul Ahrenstorff of Hartley, IA, and Mat Ahrenstorff of Hartley, IA; one sister: Ruth Vetter and her husband, Marlin, of Hartley, IA; and a sister-in-law: Dorothy Pederson of Spirit Lake, IA, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Arlene Klinker and her husband Gaylen. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barneys name may be given to the Hartley United Methodist Church or the Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon. A Celebration of Life Gene “Barney” Ahrenstorff Born ~ May 25, 1918 Died ~ April 7, 2008 Age ~ 89 years 10 months 12 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2008 United Methodist Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Steve Campbell Organist ~ Bonnie Linder Congregational Singing Processional ~ Amazing Grace” Special Music ~ “I Can Only Imagine” Recessional ~ “How Great Thou Art” Pallbearers Darrel Bethke Jr. Gale Vetter Wally Tschopp Roger Nelson Craig Goth Ken Kern Gary Lohr Orville Tewes Noel McCarty Honorary Pallbearers Ron Wyatt Jerry Nelson Bill Ferguson LeRoy Steffens Fred Nelson Roland Lenz Don Clark Gary Vetter Russ Meyer Ushers Ron Sterk Ken Kroger Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa