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of Grass Lake, MI, age 90, died Friday, September 11, 2020 at his home in Grass Lake. He was born September 16, 1929 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Rudolph Henry & Edna Elinor (Hein) Ahrens.  Gene joined the US Army in September, 1947, and was a Medical Tech in the 8th Army, 24th Infantry, being stationed in Korea, Japan, Germany as well as Fort Knox, TN; Camp Kilmer, NJ; Fort Riley, KS and Fort Wayne in Detroit until 1953. Gene stayed in the Detroit area working for several different concrete companies. He was a medical tech at the Ford Rouge plant & head of production control at Hoskins Manufacturing Co. Gene and his family moved to Chelsea in 1969. He was a member of the Herbert J. McKune Post 31 of the American Legion. Gene was also a Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He coached little league in Chelsea for several years and was a Scoutmaster.


On Sept. 6, 1958, he married Irene Olga Sviatko at Holy Cross Church in Delray/ Detroit, and she preceded him in death on April 2, 2008. Survivors include three children, Theresa “Terri” (Danny) Lancaster of Chelsea, Andrew (Lisa) Ahrens of Grass Lake, and Mark Ahrens of Grass Lake; 4 grandchildren, Kimberley (Chris) Potocki, Thomas Lancaster, David (Cindy) Ahrens, and Ashley Ahrens; great-grand children, Evelyn, Josephine, and Henry Potocki, Maya Ahrens, and Kendall Lancaster; brother-in-law, Andrew (Margaret) Sviatko; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Kathryn Lancaster and Justin Ahrens; brothers, Wesley (Sylvia) Ahrens, Dallas (Ruth) Ahrens; sister, Janice (Delvin) Lemke; brother-in-law, Frank (Stella) Sviatko.

The family would like to thank the Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice & Our Family Friend Homecare.


The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Monday, September 14. Please call the funeral home at 734-475-1551 to schedule a time to pay your respects. Private graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 15, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Herbert J. McKune Post of the American Legion, PO Box 293, Chelsea, Mi. 48118 or Cascades Humane Society,1515 Carmen Dr, Jackson, MI 49202. 

Click here to view Gene's graveside service


You may use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Gene's family.  Please allow up to 24 hours for us to review and post your message.  

Comments  

#8 SANDY ISENMAN 2020-09-16 14:05
Mark and family...
my thoughts and prayers go out to you!
May god be with you all and help you find peace in the memories you shared.
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#7 Brenda Bauer 2020-09-14 13:25
Papa Geno was an amazing man. He was such a hard worker and an amazing family man. He will be greatly missed....
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#6 Michael Calvo, 2020-09-13 18:04
I wish to offer my families sincere condolences to the (Mark) Aherns family. We have a fond memory of meeting Gene at a Detroit Tiger game several years ago, you were so fortunate to be gifted with your Dad for so many years.
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#5 Gayle Fill 2020-09-13 06:24
I met Gene on our senior bowling league
and he was so much fun to be around. He
Had a warm smile and a good heart. He
will be missed by all of his bowling
Buddies. Our sincere condolences go
out to his family and friends.
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#4 Gayle Fill 2020-09-13 06:17
I had the pleasure of getting to know Gene
on the Senior Fun Times Bowling league.
He was a lot of fun and could light up the
room with his smile. He will be missed by
all his bowling buddies. Our sincere
condolences to his family.
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#3 Chris,Bob Henderson 2020-09-12 15:32
Gene was always a joy to have over to dinner, he made a dinner party sparkle with conversation. He will be missed.
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#2 Craig Maier 2020-09-12 11:03
My sincere condolences to the family, Gene was a wonderful friend of mine for many years. He will surely be missed by all!
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#1 Nancy K Hughes 2020-09-11 19:21
My heart goes out to Terri, Andy, Mark, Kim and the rest of the family. Gene was such a nice man. Always a smile. He was so good with the great-grandchil dren, Evelyn, Jo & Henry and I'm sure the others also. He will be missed by all who knew him. My prayers are with the entire family.
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