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Gerald Von Ahsen
GERALD "DIGGER" LEE VON AHSEN
Williamsburg
Gerald "Digger" Lee Von Ahsen was born May 15, 1950. He is the son of Gilbert and Geneva (Zuber) Von Ahsen. He was baptized on Dec. 20, 1951, and confirmed on May 31, 1964, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1968. Gerald served in the United States Army during Vietnam in 1969-72.
Gerald was united in marriage to Karen Oberheu on April 20, 1974, in Fairbank, Iowa. To this union they were blessed with three children. They later divorced. He farmed with his dad and worked at Aspro in Waterloo and Metro Pavers in Iowa City. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, reading western books, watching westerns and war movies, the Chicago Bears and bulldogs. He always enjoyed a good restaurant. He also had a big heart, which was shown by helping others and animals. Gerald was an avid hunter; he enjoyed his hunting buddies, Marv Dhondt, Terry Curtis and Dean Stoddard. Gerald was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Iburg Poulson VFW Post #8797 in Williamsburg. Gerald died Thursday, March 1, 2018, at his home near Williamsburg at the age of 67 years.
He is survived by three children, Tara Stockton (Jason "Sid") of Williamsburg, Miranda Von Ahsen (Shane Dietze) of Amana and Alexander Von Ahsen (Derek Rodgers) of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Ashlyn Munson, Elle Ridgeway, Kaine Stockton, Cole Dietze and Grayson Dietze; a sister, Gail Ruzeck of Waterloo; and a nephew, Mikeal Von Ahsen of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Joe Ruzeck.
A celebration of life service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 5, 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Williamsburg. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites by Iburg Poulson VFW Post #8797. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg, where there will be a VFW service at 6 p.m. Memorials are for Eastern Iowa Honor Flight or the Veterans Freedom Foundation. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
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