Obituary of Marlis M. Ahrenstorff

A funeral service for Mr. Marlis M. Ahrenstorff, 85, of Lakefield, Minnesota and formerly of Sioux Valley, Minnesota, will be held at 10:30, Monday, July 9, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley. Visitation will begin at 3 pm, Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, with the family present from 3-5 pm. Interment will be at Sioux Valley Township Cemetery in Sioux Valley. Marlis Melvin Ahrenstorff was born on May 11, 1933, at home in Sioux Valley, Township, Jackson County, Minnesota, the son of Sigfried and Lillian (Atzen) Ahrenstorff. As a child, he attended school and graduated from Sioux Valley High School in 1951. In 1956, Marlis was drafted into the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. Marlis was united in marriage to Sharon Waldrep on February 8, 1958, in Tacoma. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army in March, 1958. The couple made their home in Sioux Valley, where they raised their family and engaged in farming. Marlis farmed until retirement in 1999. In 2001, Marlis and Sharon moved to Lakefield, Minnesota. Marlis was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley. He was a member of the Sioux Valley American Legion and was on the elevator board in Round Lake. He enjoyed collecting Oliver tractors and taking care of his mules. He also enjoyed camping and travelling. Most important to Marlis, however, was his family and grandchildren. Marlis passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake at eighty-five years of age. Marlis is survived by his wife of sixty years, Sharon Ahrenstorff of Lakefield, Minnesota; children Tony Ahrenstorff (Janie Salines) of San Antonio, Texas, Timothy Ahrenstorff (Kelly) of Lakefield, Minnesota; and Lynette Thompson (Troy) of Brewster, Minnesota; grandchildren Alex Thompson ( Lydia Kemper), Ashley Thompson, Taylor Ahrenstorff (Kelly), Talia Ahrenstorff and Kiera Ahrenstorff; great-grandson, Blake Ahrenstorff. Also surviving are brothers and Floy Ahrenstorff of Lake Park and Douglas Ahrenstorff (Karen) of Lake Park; several nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Blessed be the memory of Marlis Melvin Ahrenstorff.