Leo Ahrendsen

Leo Ahrendsen, age 87, of Mechanicsville, formerly of Olin, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.  Visitation will be held at Lahey Funeral in Olin on Wednesday, June 14, from 4-7p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7p.m.  Funeral service will be held at Olin Community Methodist Church on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow at Mayflower Cemetery in Oxford Junction.

Leo was born on November 4, 1929 on the family farm in rural Clarence to Arthur and Mathilde (Carstensen) Ahrendsen.  He graduated from Wyoming High School in 1947.  Leo married Virginia Marie Foy on May 14, 1950 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Leo and Virginia farmed west of Wyoming until 1962.  They then moved to Clarence and purchased the family farm which is now a century farm.  They moved to Olin in 1984.  Virginia died June 5, 1988.  He married JoAnn (Thumma) Pearson on April 3, 1993.

Leo was a member of the Olin Masonic Lodge #226.  He served the Olin Historical Society and was on the board of Citizens State Bank for 35 years, as chairman for 18 years.  He served 18 years on the Clarence Telephone Board, and 12 years on the Olin School Board. 

Leo enjoyed playing cards, traveling, bowling, cattle buying trips, reading history, and operating the combine.  He was an avid Hawkeye and Cubs fan.  Leo was a member of Olin Community Methodist Church where he held various leadership roles.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, JoAnn; 5 children, Marcia (Warren) Nielsen of Bondurant; Kathy (Larry) Houstman of Tipton; Sandra (Rick) Less of Swisher; Lynn (Shelly) Ahrendsen of Clarence; Alan (Michelle) Ahrendsen of Anamosa; 10 grandchildren, Josh (Liz) Nielsen; Jacob (Carol) Nielsen; Aaryn (Chad) Bennett; Nathan Houstman; Kevin (Elizabeth)Houstman; Zach (Morgan) Less; Jace(Brittany) Ahrendsen; Becca Ahrendsen; Emelie Ahrendsen; Jaden Meyer; 7 great-grandchildren, William and Ruth Nielsen; Lydia and Camden Bennett; Ethan and Lucas Houstman; Hudson Less; two expected great-grandchildren; 3 step-children, Cynthia (Larry) Platner; Dennis (Tracy) Pearson; Craig (Dorena Crock) Pearson; 9 step-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren with two expected, and 2 brothers-in-law; Jim Foy and George Foy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Virginia, sister Janice, and brother Lyle.

Online memorials may be left for the family at www.laheys.com.  Memorials will be distributed at the families discretion. 

 Service Information