Lillian Ahrens

Lillian Lydia Ahrens was born on January 2, 1909 to John and Lydia (Maly) Kortan in Kandota Township, MN. She attended country schools through the eighth grade. She married Michael Henry Ahrens on November 3, 1930 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, MN. Six children were born to this union. They farmed in the Little Sauk area until 1942 when they bought a farm and moved to Burleene Township, MN. She worked beside Michael on the farm until they retired in 1972. Lillian was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clarissa and the Christian Mothers. She was also active with the Drywood Community Club in Clotho, MN. Lillian enjoyed farm work, especially when she spent time with her chicken and geese. She looked forward to picking berries and did a lot of canning for the family. She liked to play cards, whooping it up whenever she won a hand. She also enjoyed reading, embroidery, and dancing to old time music. Above all she enjoyed having the family together and cooking meals for the holidays. Lillian passed away on October 6, 2006 at the Long Prairie Memorial Home in Long Prairie, MN at the age of 97 years. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Michael on August 18, 1992; her parents John and Lydia Kortan; brothers Joseph and John Kortan; sisters Rose Kortan, Frances Larson and Bertha Cooper; grandchildren Jeffrey Leagjeld and Richard Hoosline; great-grandchildren Henry Ahrens and Kylee Leagjeld; and son-in-law Don Hoosline. She is survived by her sons Donald (Crystal) and Henry (Ardith) of Eagle Bend, MN; daughters Genevieve (Robert) Thieschafer of Sauk Centre, Helen (Jordan) Henry of Sauk Centre, Bertha (Donovan) Leagjeld of Long Prairie, and Linda (Chris) Carlson of Meridian, ID; 21 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 28 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Paul (Irma) Ahrens of Osakis, MN and Carl Ecklund of Sauk Centre; and sisters-in-law Agnes Seiben of Sauk Rapids, MN, Bernadine VanHeel, Cleo Ahrens and Genevieve Ahrens, all of Sauk Centre. Pallbearers are David Hoosline, Darrel Hoosline, Joseph Leagjeld, Jerome Leagjeld, John Leagjeld, Michael Ahrens, Dale Ahrens, Mitchell Henry and Wade Walker. Interment is in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Clarissa.

Lillian Ahrens

January 2, 1909 - October 6, 2006