Alan “Al” Ahrens, 47, of Morton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Visitation will be held from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Franklin. Burial will be at a later date in Mount Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls.
Alan D. Ahrens, the son of James and Audrey (Kodet) Ahrens, was born January 16, 1975 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1993. On September 18, 2010 Al married Mandi Grunke at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Franklin. Al worked at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel as a chef for 28 ½ years. He enjoyed cooking, as long as he was getting paid! Al recently found his dream job, working at Beaver Creek, as a semi driver. Al loved spending time with his family and friends, but more than ever was a proud grandpa. In his spare time, Al enjoyed playing darts – winning many trophies to show, golfing with friends, hunting – having a taxidermy collection that he was very proud of, canoeing, fishing – especially at Catfish Days, having campfires, four-wheeling up north in the Beltrami Forest, and watching any Minnesota sports team – especially the Wild.
He is survived by his wife, Mandi Ahrens of Morton; children, Emily (Cameron) Ahrens of Clarkfield, Jesse (Chloe) Ahrens of Redwood Falls, Kyson Ahrens of Morton, and Kyler Ahrens of Morton; mother, Audrey Ahrens of Morton; siblings, Amy Ahrens of Morton and Marcus (Cindy) Ahrens of Morgan; brother-in-law, Keith (Monde) Grunke of Morgan; sister-in-law, Mallory (Jordan) Albu of Redwood Falls; grandchildren, Theodore Ahrens and Maddox Anderson; step-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Asher, and Braylen Anderson; family pets, dog – Phoebe and the rest of the zoo; many nieces and nephews; and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Ahrens; father and mother-in-law, Randy and Judy Grunke; uncle, Pat Ahrens; and aunts, Diane Klegstad and JoAnn Holland.
In his loving memory. #ToughAsAhrens