Ray-Ahlstrom-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Service - Albert Lea

Ray C. Ahlstrom

Geneva, Minnesota

Oct 31, 1929 – Dec 4, 2010 (Age 81)

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BORN
October 31, 1929
DIED
December 4, 2010
AGE
81
LOCATION
Geneva, Minnesota

Obituary

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Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Service - Albert Lea Obituary

The Funeral Service for Raymond Clifford Ahlstom, of Geneva, will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at the Community Lutheran Church in Geneva. The Reverend Carrie McElfresh will officiate. Interment will be Geneva Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church. Ray had developed prostrate cancer in 2005 and died on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Home at the age of 81. Raymond Clifford Chounard was born on October 31, 1929 in Hibbing, Minnesota. At age 5 years he was adopted by Harold and Theresa Ahlstrom and was raised in Geneva. He graduated from Ellendale High School in 1947 and enlisted in the Army Airforce that summer. He served as mechanic on the Berlin Air Lift flying from Munich into Berlin. He was honorably discharged in 1950. He married Jean L. Bartsch on August 26, 1951. Ray had been employed at ALMCO where he started as a factory worker, and worked his way through the ALMCO organization to achieve status as director of manufacturing. He retired from ALMCO after 36 years on September 30, 1986. He invested in the new Geneva Meats in 2007 and enjoyed participating in all aspects of the operation. He was a member of the Community Lutheran Church of Geneva where he had served as Past President and Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed being Geneva’s handyman. Raymond is survived by his wife Jean of Geneva, his daughters Joan (Irv) Diderrich of Sheridan, Wyoming, Julie (Loren) Haroldson of Geneva, MN, two grandsons Travis (Brandy) Diderrich of Eyota, MN, Tyle Diderrich of Sheridan, Wyoming, granddaughter Hannah Haroldson of Geneva, MN, one great granddaughter Aubrey Diderrich of Eyota, MN, sister Barbara (Gene) Zimmerman of California, sister’s-in-law: Helen Swanson of Winthrop, MN, Mary (Paul) Groth of Ellendale, MN brothers-in-law: Donald (Mavis) Bartsch of Geneva, Clifford (Darlene) Bartsch of Owatonna, Harold (Bernice) Bartsch of Owatonna and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Theresa Ahlstom, brothers Fred (Myrtle) Chounard, Robert Swanson, Chester Swanson, infant granddaughter Johnna, father-in-law and mother-in-law Lawrence and Magdalene Bartsch, sister-in-law Margaret Bartsch and a nephew Brad Swanson.

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