Elsie Viola Ahrens, 103, of Motley, died March 6, 2010 in Motley.

Funeral services were held March 10, at First Lutheran Church in Pillager with Pastor Christopher Culuris officiating. Burial was in Wildwood Cemetery, Pillager.

Arrangements were with the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.

Elsie was born Feb.21, 1907 in Lakefield, to Albert and Elizabeth (Heck) Rue. She married Wilbert Ahrens on Sept. 4, 1928. They lived in Lakefield and later moved to a farm near Pillager in March 1943.

She and Wilbert farmed most of their lives. After retirement, they moved to Sunny Pines in Motley. Later Elsie resided at Harmony House in Motley until her death. She loved her family and people and was able to help plan her 103rd birthday party less than one month ago.

Elsie is survived by two sons, Conway (Marlys) Ahrens of San Angelo, Texas; Douglas (Marlys) Ahrens of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters, Marie (Roland) Anderson of Pillager; Joan (Ken) Wood of Zimmerman; 20 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 10 great great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, 11 siblings and one great-grandchild.

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