Stephen Alan Ahrens

Stephen “Steve” Alan Ahrens, 78, of Fort Dodge, IA, died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Historic Bruce Funeral Home, 923 1st Avenue South, with Deacon Joe Coleman officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the VFW Post 1856 and U.S. Air Force Honor Guard following the memorial service. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will take place at North Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge. 

Stephen was born October 9, 1947, in Fort Dodge, the son of Robert H. and Betty J. (Johnson) Ahrens. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1965, and continued his education at Iowa Central Community College. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country during Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1972. On May 8, 1976, he was united in marriage to Christine M. Johnson at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Fort Dodge. Over the years, he worked for Prairie Tech and the FAA (32 years) until his retirement in 2017. On the side, he also worked as a Private Investigator. In his younger years, Steve enjoyed photography. He also enjoyed yardwork, shooting, attending gun club, watching football, reading, working on his truck, and Sci-Fi shows (NCIS). Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family – especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the VFW, Iowa Private Investigator Association (past), Iowa Rifle Association and the NRA.

Steve is survived by his wife of 50 years: Christine M. Ahrens of Fort Dodge; 3 children: Michael Ahrens of Fort Dodge, Alyssa Dempsey and husband Larry of North Carolina, and Ashley Ahrens-Parks and husband Sean of Duncombe, IA; 4 grandchildren: Olivia, Chloe, Lawrence and Samuel; and 2 siblings: Bruce Ahrens and wife Rosie of Fort Dodge and Sue Moore and husband Mike of Fort Dodge. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son: Joseph Ahrens; brother: Michael Ahrens and wife Shirley; and his mother and father-in-law: Jim and Lucy Johnson.