Joe Ahlers

Joseph "Joe" N. Ahlers, age 88, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2022, at Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by his family. He was the loving and devoted husband of Joan M (Varns) Ahlers; together they shared 66 years of marriage. Joe's Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Michael Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be at Heritage Funeral Home on Monday, August 8, 2022, from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. with a wake service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Joe was born in Dell Rapids, SD on January 29, 1934 and was the son of the late Joseph H Ahlers and Pauline (Bricher) Ahlers. Joe attended school at St Mary in Dell Rapids, graduating in 1952. He married Joan on August 11, 1955. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1955 to 1963 (3 years active duty, 5 years on callback), was stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and Wiesbaden, Germany and was honorably discharged in 1963. Joe began farming in Dell Rapids in 1958 and in 1969 began as a substitute rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, serving the Dell Rapids area, and going full time as a rural carrier in 1983. Joe retired from the United States Postal Service in 1997 and he and Joan moved to Sioux Falls in 2004. Joe was a board member for Big Sioux Rural Water, a member of the Lions Club and upon moving to Sioux Falls volunteered at Avera Hospital (15 years) and Mended Hearts (15+ years), generously sharing his time and genuine love of people. Joe enjoyed volunteering, playing cards, travelling to see his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and spending time with family and friends. Joe was well loved on his mail routes and truly loved his job and the people he delivered mail for. It was often fondly said that Joe had "the gift of gab" and for Joe, it truly was a gift. Joe was a parishioner of St Michael's Catholic Church in Sioux Falls where he also volunteered as an usher for 10+ years. Joe's roots were deeply planted in his faith and his love and pride for his family. Joe is survived by his wife, Joan M Ahlers, daughter Patty and husband Ken Johnson of Ankeny, IA, son Steve and wife Susan (Feigen)of Pierre, SD, son Scott and wife Sue (Klein) of Dell Rapids, SD, daughter Theresa and husband Mike Sanders of Lititz, PA, and son Jeff and wife Teri (Collozi) of Sundance, WY. Joe is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by infant granddaughter Erica Jean Ahlers. Joe's family would like the thank the exceptional care givers at Avera Home Hospice and Avera Dougherty Hospice House for their care, love and concern for Joe and the entire family.