Alfred was inducted into the Army on December 1, 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa.
He took Basic Training at Camp Polk, Louisiana with the Third Armored Division.
Alfred left for Europe September 5, 1943 serving with Company B Ninth Armored Infantry Battalion as a tank driver. He fought in the campaigns at Normandy and Ardennes under General George Patton.
He received the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver Star, four overseas Service Bars, one Service Stripe, Good Conduct Medal.
Alfred was honorably discharged September 25, 1945 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois with the grade of TEC5.
Born December 7, 1914 Shelby County, Iowa
Entered Into Rest February 8, 1982 Nebraska Methodist Hospital Omaha, Nebraska
Age 67 years, 2 months, 1 day
Services Thursday, February 11, 1982, 1:00 PM Trinity Lutheran Church Lincoln Township, Audubon County, Iowa
Officiating Pastor Henry Knoke
Organist Mrs. Henry Knoke
Music "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" "Just As I Am" Trinity Lutheran Congregation
Interment Manning Cemetery
Military Honors American Legion Post No. 22, V.F.W. Post No. 3517 Manning, Iowa
Casketbearers: Glenn Rowedder, Clifford Tank, Frank Handlos, Daryl Genzen, Leroy Albertsen, Merlin Struve
Honorary Casketbearers: Glen Ahrendsen, James Hansen, Bruce Ahrendsen, Richard Bauer, Vernon Hansen, Roger Hansen
The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word, and deed, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the American Legion Hall following the committal service.
Honorary casketbearers will be Glen Ahrendsen, Bruce Ahrendsen, James Hansen, Richard Bauer, Roger Hansen, and Vernon Hansen.
Casketbearers will be Frank Handlos, Leroy Albertsen, Clifford Tank, Daryl Genzen, Glenn Rowedder, and Merlin Struve.
Alfred, son of Julius and Anna Asmus Ahrendsen, was born December 7, 1914, in Shelby County, Iowa. He attended the country schools near his home. The family moved to Audubon County in 1928, where he finished his schooling. Alfred was baptized February 14, 1915, and confirmed August 13, 1930, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln Township, Audubon County, Iowa. In 1941 he joined the United States Army to serve his country during World War II. In 1943 he left for Europe where he was a member of the 3rd Armored Division. In 1945 he was honorably discharged and had been awarded the Purple Heart.
After returning home he worked with his father on the family farm.
He was united in marriage with Lola Hansen on September 25, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church. They farmed northeast of Manning for 15 1/2 years, moving to the Gray area for 10 years. The couple then returned to a farm north of Manning until February of 1977, when Alfred semiretired and they moved in to Manning.
One of Alfred's favorite pastimes was bowling as a member of the Twilighters Bowling League. He was a member of the American Legion Post #22 of Manning.
Alfred had been in failing health since the beginning of 1982, and entered the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, January 27, 1982, where he passed away on February 8, 1982, at the age of 67 years, 2 months and one day.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Lola, of Manning; by a daughter, Linda, of Manning , by two brothers and a sister, William Ahrendsen, Manning, Lillie, Mrs. Elmer Bauer, rural Audubon, and Ed Ahrendsen, also of rural Audubon. He is also survived by six nieces and six nephews, as well as by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Alta Hansen, and a brother-in-law, Alvan Hansen; also by many other relatives and friends.