Duane Keith Ahrens, 83, of West Des Moines, Iowa passed away from complications of COVID-19 on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Duane was born June 25, 1937, in Sutherland, Iowa to Edmond and Nellie (Stanton) Ahrens.

In 1955, Duane graduated as valedictorian from Sutherland High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1957. While serving in the Army Reserves, be began his college education, receiving his BA degree from Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1964. He married Mary Ann Painovich on June 11, 1966, at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church.

He received his graduate degree in Counseling from Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado in 1971. Duane was a nationally certified counselor, having his MA +30 hours, serving many school districts in Iowa including Waukee Community Schools, Ledyard Community Schools, Tripoli Community Schools, and retiring from Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools after 29 years of service.

During his career, Duane received many awards and accolades including 29 years of service to Waverly-Shell Rock Education Association in 2005; recognition of being a track official for 40 years; Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame Cross Country Track Official of the Year 2004; Tyrrell Lodge Mason of the Year in 1989 and 1990 and recognition as a 50 year member of Masons; initiating and coaching the first girls track team at Waukee High School in 1967; serving as a board member to Wartburg College Community Symphony; and his many years of leadership and service to the Northeast Iowa Education Unit where he was presented with engraved school bells.

Mr. Ahrens was a member of the National Education Association; Iowa State Education Association, Waverly-Shell Rock Education Association, Northeast Iowa Education Unit, Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Officials, Iowa Association of School Counselors and Tyrrell Masonic Lodge No. 116 in Waverly, Iowa.

His hobbies included fishing, coin collecting, reading, gardening, and sports - St. Louis Cardinals baseball was his favorite.

Duane is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann (Painovich) Ahrens; daughter Angela Ahrens-Marenco of Mission Viejo, California; and daughter Alycia Ahrens of Houston, Texas; brother Roger Ahrens (Louise) of Anoka, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

Duane was preceded in death by parents Edmond and Nellie Ahrens, of Sutherland, Iowa; sister Marilyn Kjergaard (Harlan), of Rowena, South Dakota; and brother James Ahrens (Carolyn), of Clear Lake, Iowa.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, funeral services will be live streamed on Monday, August 31, at 1 p.m. In-person attendance will not be possible for Duane's service. To view the service, please click on the "join live stream" button on Duane's obituary found at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Roger Ahrens, Jerry Kjergaard, Nick Painovich, Don Case, Eli Painovich, Angela Ahrens-Marenco, Alycia Ahrens and Arthur Frick.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Duane's memory may be made to General N. B. Baker Library, 315 Ash Street, Sutherland, Iowa 51058; and Willoway Complex, 409 Ash Street #15, Sutherland, Iowa 51058.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Ahrens family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Waverly Democrat on Aug. 11, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Duane Ahrens

Sponsored by McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery.

3 Entries

Rosemary Stark

August 11, 2020

Duane was a dedicated, sweet soul and will be missed by many. Mary Ann, my sincere sympathies for you for the loss of the love of your life. Sending prayers and hugs from Texas, where I now live.

Donald Case

August 11, 2020

Farewell to my good cousin and friend Duane. Although we are assured that we shall meet again in the bye and bye, death is a part of life we are never prepared for even though it must be accepted. In its stead we are left with memories, some of which bring smiles while others bring tears. In this instance I believe, at least I hope, that the memories I have would bring a smile to his face. For the most part they do mine.
One of the first memories I have is of me and my parents sitting around the Ahrens supper table with Duane and his family eating our evening meal. I was sitting next to Duane who had a habit of not mixing the various kinds of food on his plate. In this instance he had removed the frosting from his piece of cake and left it sitting on the edge of his plate. To leave that piece of frosting just sitting there was more than I could resist so I reached over and grabbed it and stuck it in my mouth before anyone knew what was happening. When those around the table realized what I had done some snickered, while some smiled, except for Duane who became highly indignant and let me know in no uncertain terms that he would get revenge someday. What is ironic is that years later while driving to Key West with Duane and his wife Mary Ann he spoke of the incident as though it had happened yesterday.
On another day Duane, his brother Jim, and his father and I and my father were standing by their livestock watering tank which was next to their barn that had a sloping roof. Somehow Duane had gotten on the roof and made his way up. While attempting to stand up he lost his traction and slid down the roof and into the tank which was practically full. Everyone standing by the tank got doused and Duane had one of those looks on his face that said I shouldn’t have done that.
The next incident that brings a smile to my face occurred when Duane and I and his brother Jim were in their pasture riding our ponies’ bare back and jumping their creek. The only problem was my pony would suddenly stop at the creeks edge and not jump. After much prodding of my pony in the flanks he suddenly jumped, and when he did he jumped out from under me and I landed in the middle of the creek almost up to my neck in water. Duane laughingly helped get me out of the creek while my pony stood on the other side with what looked to me like a smirk on his face.
There are many more incidents that Duane and I had together, however, when we both returned from the military we enrolled in Buena Vista College (now university) in Storm Lake, Iowa. While at BV we attended several classes together, went to at home and away sporting events (especially basketball games in which brother Jim played) and eventually graduated together. After graduation we went our separate ways but got together and stayed in contact whenever we could.
I now realize how close we had become and how much I already miss him. He will be with me forever.

Mary Mascher

August 9, 2020

My heart goes out to Mary Ann and her family. So sorry for your loss.

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