Jean Ellen Ahrendt

FUNERAL SERVICES :11 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2014, Calvary Lutheran Church, Park Rapids, MNVISITATION : One hour prior to service at the churchINTERMENT : 11 AM, Monday, January 27, 2014 at the MN State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ripley, MNSURVIVORS : February 2, 1930 Jean Ellen Ahrendt, age 83 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Hackensack, MN, was promoted into eternal glory in the early morning hours of Monday, January 20th at her home surrounded by her loved ones.Jean was born February 2, 1930 in Luverne, MN to Rudolf and Delphia Juhl. She graduated from Luverne High School and went on to attend Mankato State University, graduating with a degree in elementary education. She taught third grade in Granada, Luverne, Jackson and Slayton. Jean was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Norman Keith Ahrendt on June 24, 1951. Jean taught during Norm"s years in military service and upon his return, they made their home in Slayton and later, Inver Grove Heights, where Jean devoted her time to raising their five children.They retired to Hackensack, MN where Jean continued her activities in church and enjoyed time with family at the lake. For over twenty years they traveled to Arizona to share time with friends and relatives. Trips to Norway and Jerusalem were some of their travel highlights. In 2009, they moved to Park Rapids. Jean enjoyed the peace of walks in the woods, bird watching and listening to the loons.Jean"s survivors include her husband of sixty two years, Norm of Park Rapids; five children: Dave (Mary) Ahrendt of Park Rapids, Dr. Mark (Dr. Madeline Gartner) Ahrendt of Plymouth, Christine (Arne) Haugen of Oslo, Norway, Nancy (Robert) Hammerstrom of Auburn, New Hampshire, and Thomas (Angela) Ahrendt of Nevis; fourteen precious grandchildren: Sarah, Ryan (Elizabeth), Nathan and Michaela Ahrendt; Benjamin and Hannah Ahrendt; Ole Christian and Thomas Haugen; Brandon Hammerstrom; Cambria, Katya, Annalise, Ian and Austin Ahrendt; one great-granddaughter, Mabel Grace Ahrendt; siblings: Marge (Frank) Walter of Omaha, NE, Charles (Gloria) Juhl of Luverne, and Marianna Jergenson of Mesa, AZ.Jean is preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter, Michelle Ahrendt and great grandson, Matthew Ahrendt.Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Reverend Stephen Norby officiating. Roz Pederson will be the organist. Roz and Dr. Deane Johnson will be playing a woodwind and keyboard duet, "Children of the Heavenly Father". Pastor Steve will sing, "The Lord"s Prayer" and "Behold The Host". The casket bearers will be Jean"s 14 grandchildren. The honorary casketbearers will be: Charles Juhl, Ronald Ahrendt, Frank Walter, Peter Hegg, Royce Peterson and Deane Johnson. Interment will be made in the MN State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ripley, MN on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 11 AM. Visitation will be held at the Calvary Lutheran Church beginning one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorials are preferred to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Calvary Lutheran Church or St. Joseph"s Hospice