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Elaine W. (Quist) Ahrens of Blair passed away on January 28, 2020 at her daughters’ home in Arden Hills, MN. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am Thursday, February 20 at First Lutheran Church in Blair with graveside services to follow at the Blair Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 19, from 6 to 8 PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

Elaine was born January 19, 1934 to Edward and Goldie (Fryman) Quist in Herman, NE and was raised on a farm west of Blair. She attended the Summer School and graduated from Blair High School.

She married Dareld R. Ahrens on April 12, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Blair and were happily married for 50 years, farming west of Blair.

Elaine is survived by two children: Cheryl (Tom) Whittles of Arden Hills, MN & Keith (Debra) Ahrens of Blair. five grandchildren: Marc (Nichole) Nielsen, Elko/New Market, MN; Rachael Ahrens, Austin, TX; Jason Nielsen, Thousand Oaks, CA; Rebecca (Mike) Halverson, Cedar Falls, IA; Kristopher (Katelyn) Ahrens, Papillion, NE. five great-grandchildren: Declan Nielsen, Audrey Halverson, Thork Nielsen, Hailey Halverson, and Miura Nielsen along with nieces and nephews.

Elaine enjoyed the last 10 years living in the Shoshoni/Riverton, WY area. She made many friends that loved and treasured her friendship. She was preceded in death by her husband Dareld, sisters’ Betty Ann Phifer and Norma Olson, and parents Edward and Goldie Quist.

Funeral Leaflet

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Elaine was born January 19, 1934 to Edward & Goldie (Fryman) Quist in Herman, NE & was raised on a farm west of Blair. She attended the Summer Country School and graduated from Blair High School in 1951.

Dareld won the bid on Elaine’s picnic basket at the Lippincott square dance party & they never parted. They married on April 12, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Blair & were happily married for 50 years farming west of Blair. In 1954, they bought a farm on Hwy 91, 4 mi west of Blair on the Papio Valley. Elaine worked side by side with Dareld on the farm and was always busy with gardening, canning & freezing food. In 1979 Dareld & Elaine moved to Blair when their son Keith married Debra. Then in 1985, Dareld & Elaine moved to Dareld’s childhood farm to take care of his mother in her home for 10 years & they lived there until they retired. Elaine loved to sew, crochet & quilt. They both loved to travel, especially with the RV. They belonged to First Lutheran Church. Elaine adored her family & friends and spending as much time as possible with the grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

After Dareld’s death in 2004, Elaine eventually moved to Wyoming. Elaine made many friends that loved & adored her. She commented on the mild weather and made many trips to the beautiful Tetons. Elaine enjoyed going to the Shoshoni Sr. Center every day for a home cooked meal, visiting with friends, doing activities. She regularly attended the Community Presbyterian Church in Shoshoni. Driving to the hot mineral spring’s pool in Thermopolis was a highlight. Elaine was employed by Four Corners Home Health Care in Riverton where she received her CPR certification and provided comfort & care to her clients as well as their families. Elaine independently drove to NE & MN to see family.

Elaine is survived by 2 children: Cheryl (Tom) Whittles of Arden Hills, MN & Keith (Debra) Ahrens of Blair, NE. 5 Grandchildren: Marc (Nichole0 Nielsen, Elko /New Market, MN; Rachael Ahrens, Austin, TX; Jason Nielsen, Thousand Oaks, CA; Rebecca (Mike) Halverson, Cedar Falls, IA; Kristopher (Katelyn) Ahrens, Papillion, NE. 5 great-grandchildren: Declan Nielsen, Audrey Halverson, Thork Nielsen, Hailey Halverson, & Miura Nielsen along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In Loving Memory of Elaine Wilma Ahrens

Born January 19, 1934, Herman, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest January 28, 2020 Arden Hills, Minnesota

Funeral Service 10:30 AM Thursday, February 20, 2020 First Lutheran Church Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Rod Hansen. Organist: Clare Cowing. Soloist: Grant Kubie. Musical Selections: “Precious Lord Take My Hand”, “Amazing Grace”, “Go Rest High On That Mountain”

Pallbearers: Dean Olson, Dale Olson, Joe Fryman, David Rasmussen, Kevin Rolland, Jeff Quist.

Honorary Pallbearers: Marc Nielsen, Jason Nielsen, Kristopher Ahrens, Mike Halverson, Erick Phifer

Place of Rest Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~

FindaGrave #206700073