Norma Ahlers, 96, of Remsen, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Orange City Health Systems Hospital in Orange City, IA.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with Rev. William McCarthy and Deacon Rick Roder officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be anytime after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. There will be a parish rosary at 5 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.
Norma was born June 10, 1916 to Martin and Christina (Kunkel) Ludwig. She was born and raised on her family farm and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1934. She met and fell in love with Clarence Ahlers, her family’s hired man. They were married Jan. 19, 1943, in Remsen, on a 27 degrees below zero afternoon and continued to live on the farm northeast of Remsen. Clarence passed away Oct. 10, 2011.
Norma was a member of St. Mary’s Church & church guild. In her younger years, Norma enjoyed dances on Thursday nights in Remsen and playing pinochle with their card club. She was very talented at crocheting, making many doilies and afghans for all the children and grandchildren. Norma spent hours working on her puzzle books, but was happiest when her family was around.
Survivors include, four sons, Fred (Faye Herde), David (Lynn Langel), Daniel and Phil (Teryl Conover) all of Remsen, and three daughters Margaret Mary Tucker of Enfield, NH, Christine (Scott Nielsen) of Remsen, and Barbara (Dennis Henrich) of LeMars, IA. Eleven grandchildren, Holly & Douglas Tucker, Ann & David Heerde, Erin (Chris) Pick, Nicole and Jeremy Ahlers, Noelle (Josh) Bennett and Derek Ahlers, Justin (Safia) Nielsen & Christopher Nielsen. Three brothers-in-law, Urban and Edward Ahlers of Granville and Vincent of Remsen. Two sisters-in-law, Rita (Theisen) of Canby, MN and Clara of Granville, IA. Numerous Nieces & Nephews.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, step mother, Margaret Ludwig, Grandson Michael Ahlers, a still born brother, brothers-in-law, Herman, Ray, Bernard & Arnold Ahlers & Reynold Theisen, sister-in-law, Helen Ahlers.
Casket bearers were Jeremy Ahlers, Derek Ahlers, Justin Nielsen, Christopher Nielsen, Holly Tucker and David Heerde