Lowell F. Ahrens

Lowell Ahrens, Prairie du Chien, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, January 24.

Lowell attended Prairie du Chien High School, graduating in 1956.  During his school years he was very involved in local athletics from basketball, baseball, track and football.  His favorite sport to play was definitely football, where he played punter and kicker and during his senior year in high school he played the position of quarterback.  While in high school he was the president of the local FFA chapter as well as being involved in 4H, showing livestock at the Crawford County Fair for many years.

After graduating high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison from the fall of 1956 to 1960 when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Animal Husbandry.  During his attendance at UW Madison, he was also involved with the livestock judging team.

After graduating from college, he farmed with his dad, Clarence, for a time.

On May 10, 1963, he married Nancy Knapp, and began his life as a husband, father and provider for his wife and eventually 3 boys.  Nancy preceded him in death in January of 2020.

Lowell went back to school to get his Master's degree in Ag. Education in the fall of 1966.  He finished his studies and graduated with an MS in the spring of 1968.  From there he taught a semester of general science at River Valley High School.  After that he began his teaching career at the tech college in Fennimore.  He taught there for 32 years - the first 12 years as a farm trainer, 7 years on campus in middle management and the last 13 years in Dairy Herd Management.  Among the many accolades he received, he served time as the President of the State Ag Teachers Association in 1968.  After a fulfilling career in Fennimore, he retired on June 1, 2000, to enjoy some time off.

Lowell was also enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard with the 229th Engineers Battalion.  He joined the Guard in 1961 and served there for 32 years, retiring in 1998.  During his time with the Guard, he was a platoon sergeant for 22 years and finished up his career at State Headquarters as 1st Sergeant.  While in the guard he competed in many different rifle competitions, from the Governors Trophy Match with his boys as junior shooters, to the state high power rifle matches where he would compete all over the country; the highlight of his shooting activities culminated with the All Army Rifle Matches in Fort Benning Georgia where his shooting skills earned him 4th place in the nation.  He also competed in other matches including Camp Robinson, Little Rock, AR.  His Guard career took him not just all over the country but all over the planet, helping work on engineering projects in Panama (twice) and Germany.  In the Guard, in addition to his activities with the various rifles teams, he had fun contributing his skills operating bulldozers, graders, rock rippers and some demolitions work (blowing stuff up).

As a family man, Lowell enjoyed camping, traveling the country (and world), hunting and fishing.  He has visited every state in the U.S. and his world travels took him to Namibia, Germany, France (particularly the Normandy Beaches), Alaska, Africa, Mexico, Panama, Cape of Good Hope South Africa and above the Arctic Circle.

Lowell was also very active in his community including the United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge (PdC Lodge #8), Zor Shriners, 32 degree (Scottish Rite) Mason.

Lowell leaves behind three sons: Erich, Mark (Jamie), and Brad (Stephanie).  He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, Pastor Oliver Cardano officiating with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., where there will be a tribute from the Prairie du Chien Masonic Lodge #8 at 7:00 PM. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Military Honors will be accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard.

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