Leonard Ahrens

Leonard William Ahrens, 87, of Tilsit passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019, at his home, with his family by his side.

He was born Jan. 18, 1932, near Tilsit, at the home of his parents, Paul and Hulda Aufdenberg Ahrens. He and Clara King were married Nov. 2, 1952, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit, by the late Rev. H.J. Stricker.

Leonard was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran, where he was a Sunday school teacher for many years. He was a 1950 graduate of Jackson High School and farmed from 1950 to 1969. He then drove a truck for Ceramo Co. in Jackson, with Clara often accompanying him on his routes. He later drove for Semo Dairy, retiring in 2000.

Leonard was a family man. He enjoyed watching and playing with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, fishing, hunting, working in the garden and keeping the yard and pond looking nice. He was a very caring person who loved having all the family together; his family and church were the most important things in his life.

In addition to his wife of 66 years, Clara Ahrens, loving survivors include five daughters, Karen (the Rev. David) Kern of Dorsey Illinois, Sharon (Walter) Rosborg of Jackson, Saundra (Brad) Birk of Jackson, Carolyn (Gary) Gerecke of Gordonville and Patsy Green of Jackson; and 11 grandchildren, Teri Rosborg, Erik (Jamie) Rosborg, Angela Rosborg, Michelle (Brent) Lichtenegger, Derek (Angela) Birk, Megan (J.P.) Sides, Kendal (Emily) Green, Leah (Adam) Henley, Brandon (Hannah) Gerecke, all of Jackson, Sarah (the Rev. Mark) Witte of Monroe, Michigan, and Lisa Kern of Jacksonville, Florida.

Also surviving are 24 great-grandchildren, Luke, Jonah, Seth and Anya Witte of Monroe; Collin, Abigail and Logan Rosborg; Gavin Bruno; Hayley Rosborg; Kaleb Kiefer; Garrett and Hannah Lichtenegger; Bryce and Braxtyn Sides; Cole and Brooklynn Birk; Cooper Green; Chase, Tucker and Madilynn Henley; Fendten, Lynlie, Avynn and Hesston Gerecke, all of Jackson; brother-in-law, Nelson Sebastian and sister-in-law, Erma Call of Jackson; and brother-in-law, David (Mary) King of Fuguay Varina, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby sister, Leona; a granddaughter, Letisha Gerecke; and two sisters, Luella Stadt and Elvira Sebastian.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 9:30 a.m. to time of service Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Mark Boettcher officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

The family suggests contributions be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.