Lorraine Ahrens, 95, Owatonna

Lorraine Katherine Ahrens, 95, of Owatonna, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, at Prairie Manor Care Center with her family by her side.

She was born Nov. 8, 1929, in Meriden to Carl and Katherine (Enzenauer) Helms. She attended country school before working various jobs.

She met Martin W. Ahrens, and the couple were united in marriage on Oct. 11,1949. They were blessed with six children and were together for 44 years before Martins passing in 1994. Lorraine and Martin became farming partners, and they started farming together at the Ahrens farm in Havana Township. Together they farmed until their children took over the duties.

Lorraine loved to work outside doing farm chores, listen to polka music, play card games, and traveling to Texas for the winter. She also loved to bake and cook food for family. Lorraine always looked forward to family get togethers and having her grandchildren stop in and see her.

She is survived by her children, Suzanne Hedeen, Brad (and Sherry) Ahrens, Brian (and Lisa) Ahrens, Randy (and Becky) Ahrens, Marshall (and Patty) Ahrens; grandchildren, Holly (and Joe) Mudgett, Casey (and Kristi Vosejpk) Hedeen, Corey (and Sara) Ihrke, Chris (and Sara) Ihrke, Cam (and Darcy) Ihrke, Travis (and Sam) Ahrens, Nolan (and Missy) Ahrens, Amber (and Mark) Dobberstein, Nate (and Molly) Ahrens, Nathan (and Rhonda) Oberle, Kaylea (and Zach) Scott, Zach Ahrens; 29 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Ahrens; parents, Carl and Katherine Helms; daughter, Karla Ihrke; sons-in-law: Tim Ihrke, James Hedeen; granddaughter, Heather Ahrens; sisters, Lucille Beese, Dorothy O’Neil.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on January 11 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Havana Township, 4532 SE 84th Ave., Claremont, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Havana Township. Memorial preferred to Mayo Hospice, St. John Havana Cemetery Fund, or family choice.

The family would like to give a special Thank You to all the staff at Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie for all the tender love and care that they provided.

Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc. of Owatonna is handling the funeral arrangements.