Leonard William Ahlers

Leonard William Ahlers, 85, passed away May 21, 2019 at his home in Aurora, Colorado.

He was born April 25, 1934 on a farm near Granville, Iowa, to Raymond Theodore Ahlers and Rose Elizabeth (Auchstetter) Ahlers. His mother died when he was five. Leonard attended St. Joseph Catholic Schools in Granville until his senior year when his family moved to Laurens, Iowa, where he finished high school.

Leonard married Nancy Ann Laidley on January 23, 1954 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens, where his uncle, Rev. Arnold J. Ahlers was the pastor. They had two daughters, Ellen and Ann.

Leonard attended Wayne State Teachers College in Nebraska, and later served in the U.S. Army for two years followed by some Army Reserve time. He began government work as a civilian at Letterkenny Ordnance Depot in Pennsylvania and continued his civil service work at the National Security Agency, serving in Maryland, Germany, Colorado, and Hawaii, retiring in 1989. He had a second career, working over 35 years with H & R Block.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy; his daughters, Ellen and Ann both of Aurora, Colorado; his brother, Harold (Coleen) Ahlers of Sheldon, Iowa; his sister, Joann Geurink of Alton, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dennis and Norbert.

Visitation will be at Newcomer East Metro Chapel in Aurora, CO, on Sun., Jun. 2 from 2-4pm. Mass is scheduled on Mon., Jun. 3 at 10:30am followed by a reception, both at the church Leonard was a member of, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Aurora, CO. Committal service will follow the reception at St. Simeon Catholic Cemetery starting at 2pm. Memorial contributions may be made in Leonard's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.

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