Richard Duane Ahlfs

Richard Duane Ahlfs, 71, of Babbitt, MN, passed away peacefully at his home on September 27, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on April 1, 1954, in Minneapolis, MN, to Darrol and Rose Marie (Dolly) Ahlfs. Richard grew up in the serene landscapes of Ely, MN, fostering a lifelong love for the outdoors. On September 22, 1979, he married the love of his life, Veronica Strezishar, embarking on a journey of 46 years together. They raised their family in Crandon, WI, where Richard was a beloved and active member of the community, before moving to Babbitt in 2015. Richard dedicated his professional life to public service, working as an Engineering Supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service from 1976 until his retirement in 2012. His dedication and skill were recognized when he was named Region 9 Engineer of the Year. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Points of Light Award, which was personally signed by President George H.W. Bush, a testament to his exceptional contributions. Beyond his career, Richard was deeply committed to his faith and community. He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crandon, serving as Grand Knight and District Deputy for many years in Crandon and is currently a member of the Aurora and 4th degree Councils. Richard found great joy in his hobbies, especially those involving family and friends. He valued friendships and often bragged about his wonderful friends. An avid fisherman, he cherished casting lines with his grandchildren and enjoyed hunting as well. Richard had a talent for fixing cars, sharing this skill with others. He treasured fond memories from fishing trips to Canada and Cass Lake with loved ones. Richard's legacy is one of unwavering devotion to his family, deep faith, and a profound commitment to his community. He taught by example, demonstrating the importance of hard work, integrity, and unconditional love. His warm smile, quick wit, and generous spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Veronica Ahlfs; his children, Stefani Butler (Jehrad) of Green Bay, WI, and her children Logan and Mariana and stepchildren Easton, Reilly, and Noah; Shanna Ahlfs of Green Bay, WI; Derek Ahlfs (Ashley) of Aurora, MN, and his children Darrol, Eugene, and Sophie; David Ahlfs (Brandi) of Thief River Falls, MN, and his son William; and Susan Ahlfs of Thief River Falls, MN. He is also survived by his brothers, John Ahlfs of Hopkins, MN, and Peter Ahlfs (Leann Drews-Luhring) of Blaine, MN and his beloved Aunt Donna Karlinski; his brothers-in-law, Jim Strezishar and Tom Strezishar (Michelle); and his sister-in-law, Terry Ostazeski (Mike). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Darrol and Rose Marie (Dolly) Ahlfs; his in-laws, Tom and Steffi Strezishar; and his sister-in-law, Cindy Strezishar. Visitation will be 10:00 on October 6, 2025 at St. Pius Catholic Church, Babbitt, MN. The mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:00. Funeral arrangement have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home. www.kerntzfh@frontier.com We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to East Range Hospice for their compassionate support during his final weeks. We also extend our thanks to Carefree Living in Aurora for providing Ashley with the necessary time off to care for Rich during this period. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to East Range Hospice or Blue Faery, The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association (www.bluefaery.org) To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Duane Ahlfs, please visit our floral store.