Herman A. Ahlers — Blue River, Wis.

Herman A. Ahlers, 86, of Blue River, Wis., formerly of Pepin and rural Wabasha, died Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Agrace Hospice Care in Madison, Wis.

He was born June 11, 1929, in Wabasha, the son of Henry and Regina (Schuth) Ahlers. He married Beatrice Lamey on April 27,1948, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg. They farmed in the Dumfries area until 1966 when they moved to Stockholm, Wis. There they farmed for four years before moving to Pepin in 1970. Herman also worked as an over-the-road trucker for Meyer Brothers, Bud Meyer Trucking, and for 22 years he drove for Monson Trucking. Beatrice died May 3, 1993, and he retired shortly thereafter. Herman moved to Blue River in 1994 to farm with Ken and Linda Lamey, Beatrice's brother.

He enjoyed farming, his horses, John Deere tractors and the outdoors. He also loved playing euchre with his family and friends.

Herman is survived by his children, Richard (Irene) Ahlers, Lake City; Kathy (Larry) Westberg, Pepin, Wis.; Steve (Joy) Ahlers, Lake City; Tony (Paula) Ahlers, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Paul (Tam) Ahlers, Lake City; Bonnie (Steve) Fedie, Holmen, Wis.; LuAnn (Randy) Hayden, Durand, Wis.; Jeanette (Chris) Bartley, Bloomington, Ill.; Jean Hill, Red Wing; and Leonard (Vicky) Ahlers, River Falls, Wis.; 70 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Connie Ahlers, Maiden Rock, Wis.; sisters, Lucy Sexton, Lake City; and Frances Brinkman, Altura; sister-in-law, Marcella Ahlers, Wabasha; nieces, nephews and cousins; and his faithful canine companion, Libby.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice; son, Earl Ahlers; granddaughter, Cheryl Ahlers; great-grandson, Noah Weinshrott; parents, Henry and Regina Ahlers; brothers, Joseph, Walter and John Ahlers; sisters, Margaret Marston, Helen Lindgren and Doretta Smith.

A funeral Mass will be offered Thursday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha, with the Rev. Msgr. Robert Meyer officiating. Interment will be in St. Felix Cemetery.

Family and friends may call at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Wednesday, July 8, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and one hour before the Mass on Thursday.

The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. abbottfh.com