James G. Ahrens

James G. Ahrens Sr., 75, died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at Winona Community Memorial Hospital. Jim was born September 29, 1932, in Winona, MN to Ben and Carrie Ahrens. Jim served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He married Patricia Giemza on November 12, 1955, in Winona, MN. Jim drove for Winona Excavating for many years and most recently had been a driver for Williamson and Music. Jim had a passion for building and racing stock cars locally. His number was 22. Jim was an avid sports fan and especially liked to follow NASCAR. He is survived by his wife Patricia; five children, Jeffrey of Winona, MN, Jayne Ahrens of Burnsville, MN, Catherine Rose of Mounds View, MN, Jim Jr. (Shauna) of Byron, MN, and Tricia (Mark) Bushman of Neillsville, WI; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Ahrens and Roland (Joann) Ahrens both of Winona, MN; and two sisters, Jane (Robert) Harders of Greenbush, MN and Dorothy (Jack) Bittner of Montevideo, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Richard and sister, Donna.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at 2:00pm, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Goodview Chapel with the Reverend Richard Colletti officiating. Burial will take place in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 6-8:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday.Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion of Winona immediately following the service outside the funeral home. Family and friends are invited to a reception following the services at the funeral home.Please share a memory of Jim with the family, sign the online guestbook or view his video tribute at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/12713