David John Ahrendt

David John Ahrendt, 55, of Jasper, Minnesota passed away peacefully at the Pipestone County Hospice House, surrounded by the love of his family. David was born at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on October 6th, 1970. He was Baptized in the Presbyterian Church of Sioux Falls in the year of his birth and later Confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Wood Lake, Minnesota. David spent his younger years in the Pipestone area, where he attended school at the Pipestone Grade School through the 4th grade. He then moved to Hanley Falls, Minnesota and attended Granite Falls schools through his junior year of high school. For his senior year, David moved back home and he graduated from Jasper High School in 1989.

David was a proud member of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 426 throughout this working career. He began his work as an electrical apprentice from 1995-2000 with the Local 426 and then became a journeyman electrician for several years. He traveled for work during this time and was always looking forward to the day he would get back to his family. Later in life, he worked for Pipestone Systems and then became a farm hand at Baustian Farms.

On October 21st, 1995, David married Keri Hoiland in Sherman, South Dakota. During their marriage, they welcomed their daughter, Paige Cassandra Ahrendt on September 14th, 2001. Although their marriage later ended in divorce, they shared their love for Paige as the fond memories from it.

Second to family, was David’s love for the outdoors. Throughout his entire life he could be found fishing, trapping, hunting, raising a few small batches of game birds, creating beautiful decorative pieces from carving and staining diamond willow, drawing nature scenes, and forming other artistic pieces with the beauty he found in nature. He claimed in a different life maybe he would have become a Park Ranger. He went on many fishing trips with friends and family, notably were his summer trips to Pocket Lake and Lake Brophy. Here he made many fond memories and had plenty of dedicated time to fish with his “favorite little fishing buddy,” Paige.

He also had a knack for playing cards and pool. There were stories of him holding down the table all night to the frustration of others who wished they could win the table for once. Prized in high school was his Blue Mustang. David liked to pull harmless pranks as well. One story was his recent trapping of squirrels in his yard which he then later released out on the family farm for his nephew, Taylor to then wonder where the heck all these squirrels were coming from!

David is survived by his daughter, Paige Ahrendt; father, Danny Ahrendt; mother, Jean (Rick) Rowse; sister, Jennifer Ahrendt; nephew, Taylor Shellum; uncle, Steve Ahrendt; aunt, Toni Bullerman; as well as many beloved cousins and friends who were like family.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Alfred and Gertrude Paulsen; grandparents, Dwayne and Millie Ahrendt; stepfather, Lynn Anderson; stepmother, Pam Ahrendt; “bonus” grandparents, Betty Rasmussen and Lela Anderson; uncle, Mike Bullerman; and his best four-legged fishing buddy, Mandy the yellow lab.