Dolores Ahmann

Watch Dolores' Funeral Mass

Dolores Ahmann, age 105, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Mahnomen Health Center under the loving care of her family and HIA Hospice.

Dolores Bertha was born February 18, 1920, to Julius and Veronica (Athmann) Kochmann on the homestead in Beaulieu Township. She attended the North Country School (Athmann's schoolhouse), which only went to 8th grade. She worked on the family farm and did housework for neighbors, as well as working as a nanny for a family in Callaway, MN. Dolores met Herbert Ahmann at a barn dance, where they danced to the St Paul Waltz. Herbert played drums for the Kochmann Family Concertina Orchestra. Following their marriage on September 30, 1941, they made their home on the Mary Ahmann farm helping Herb's mother. The couple then moved to St Paul, MN, where Herb was a janitor at the Armor Meat Plant. After a year in St. Paul, Herb and Dolores decided they didn't want to live in the cities and moved back to Mahnomen. Herb initially took a job with Prisky Hardware in Mahnomen and then purchased a cream truck and hauled for the creamery.

On August 15, 1952, Herb and Dolores opened the Star Drive Inn Theater with their friends Merriam and Edna Francis. Dolores continued to help operate it with her son, Ken, and Brad and Lori Francis until they closed in 1994. One of Dolores' best memories was a trip that she and Herb had taken to Germany in 1973. They also took another trip to Oregon in 1974 to visit Herb's uncle. These trips were special to her, as having the drive-in to run did not make it very easy to get away. Herb died in 1991 and Dolores continued to live in their house on Birkett Avenue in Mahnomen for many years. Over the years, she also held jobs cooking meals at Kjos Café, the Red Apple Café and the Dairy Bar. Dolores was a wonderful cook and never had to ask for a job!

Dolores was actively involved in St Michael's Ladies Aid, Catholic Foresters, the VFW, afternoon coffee bowling league, Quilting Club, Hobby Club, Pembina Homemakers, Garden Club and the Young at Heart Senior Citizens. Her hobbies included anything she could do with her hands, especially quilting! Dolores made quilts for all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and some of the great-great grandchildren. She kept busy with the garden in the summer and loved making jams and cooking tasty meals for her family. In 2017, Dolores suffered a stroke and moved to assisted living followed by a move to the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in 2023. Dolores was a big Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan, never missing a game! She was also a big fan of the Mahnomen-Waubun Thunderbirds football team!

Dolores is survived by one son, Ken (Debbie) of Mahnomen; two daughters, Trish (Don) Schaack of Plymouth, MN, and Char (Tim "Too Tall") Spaeth of Mahnomen; one daughter-in-law, Donna (John) Ahmann of Coon Rapids, MN; and one sister, Rose Marie Price of Grand Forks, ND, 15 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herbert; daughter, Janette Ahmann; daughter and son-in-law, Lenore (Donald) Gunnufson; son, John; two grandchildren, Janet, Jennifer and two great grandchildren, Jaxon, and Taylor.

Blessed be the memory of Dolores B. Ahmann.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a Prayer Service and Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery.