Joyce Ann Ahrens

Joyce Ahrens, 81, of Redwood Falls died Monday, February 29, 2016 at Redwood Area Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016, from Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls, with inurnment to follow in the Redwood Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 1 until 2 p.m.

The family requests memorials be directed to Redwood Area Hospital, 100 Fallwood Road, Redwood Falls; or Friends of the Park, % Minnwest Bank, P.O. Box 439, Redwood Falls, MN.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com .

Joyce Ann Ahrens, the daughter of Joseph and Geneva (Johnson) Welch, was born January 25, 1935 in Sheridan Township, Redwood County. She grew up on the farm and received her formal education in Belview, graduating from Belview High School in 1953. Joyce spent her adult life in Redwood Falls, Franklin, Mankato, and Wichita Kansas. She was head of housekeeping for the Franklin Nursing Home, a bookkeeper at the Allergy Clinic in Wichita, and a tester at Zytec in Redwood Falls. Joyce retired in 1999.

She is survived by her son Randy (Jackie) Ahrens of Youngstown, Florida; grandchildren Kirk Anthony Ahrens and Jody Aryn Ahrens; and great-grandchildren Caitlyn and Elijah Ahrens. Also surviving are her siblings June Kuehn of Redwood Falls, Harlan Welch of Harrisonville, Missouri, Pat (Orlo) Steffen of Mankato, and Susan Como of North Mankato.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings Maxine Welch, Carol Fixsen, Gary Welch, Dwayne Welch, and Leland Welch.

Blessed be her memory.