Ilamae Ahrendsen

Ilamae Ahrendsen, the daughter of Edward and Laura (Thygesen) Knudsen, was born June 23, 1928, at her parents’ home in Douglas Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died September 7, 2013, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 85 years, 2 months, and 14 days. Ilamae was baptized at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. She attended rural school and then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1946. Following graduation she was employed as a clerk in the auditing department of the Des Moines Register for a short time. On January 1, 1948, she was united in marriage to Edward Ahrendsen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They farmed northwest of Audubon and operated Ed’s family farm. Ilamae helped farm and raised the children. In 1984, she became the office manager for Veterinary Associates and Struve Labs where she worked until she completely retired in 2010. Ilamae enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair with Ed. Ilamae was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. She was a member of the Women’s Group at the Trinity Lutheran Church. She served as Superintendent of the Food Center at the Iowa State Fair for several years. Ilamae and Ed always had a large garden at the farm. They would plant dozens of tomato plants and Ilamae made the best tomato juice around. She also enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her grandson Daniel Garber; her parents; her brothers: Lenard Knudsen and Frank Knudsen; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ernest Christensen; William and Lydia Ahrendsen; Alfred and Lola Ahrendsen; Lillie and Elmer Bauer; her nieces: Linda Ahrendsen and Patty Lou Knudsen. Survivors include her husband Edward Ahrendsen of Audubon, Iowa; her children: Kathy Garber of Perry, Iowa; Bruce and wife Gloria Ahrendsen of Panora, Iowa; her grandchildren: Brad and wife Stacie Garber of Surprise, Arizona; Steve and wife Christina Ahrendsen of Granger, Iowa; Luke and wife Bethney Ahrendsen of Johnston, Iowa; Kylie Ahrendsen of Panora, Iowa; her god daughter Theresa Correa of Mesa, Arizona; her great grandchildren: David Garber and Samantha Garber both of Surprise; her sisters: Elaine Christensen of Audubon; Marjorie Knudsen of Des Moines, Iowa; her sisters-in-law: Deloris Knudsen and Marge Knudsen both of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be at a later date.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Tuesday morning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon.

Service:
Celebration of life memorial services will be Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa.