Loren Edwin Ahlrichs

Loren Ahlrichs was born June 2nd, 1932 to John and Tena (Wiese) Ahlrichs, passed September 16th, 2015. Loren was raised on a farmstead in Palmer, IA into a close knit German community, during the Great Depression. These early times helped shape who he would become.

Loren’s education began in a one room school house and continued for the next 21 years. He graduated from Mason High School in 1950 and followed in his brother’s footsteps and attended Iowa State University from 1950 to 1954. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Agronomy. Upon graduation, Loren severed as a 2nd Lt in the Army Chemical Corp at Fort Detrick, Maryland. With both active and reserve duty, he served a total of 6 years for our country. Honorably discharged from the Army, Loren attended the University of Minnesota, earning a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Soil Chemistry and Plant Physiology.

Loren married his college sweetheart, Rebecca L. Gangestad, they had three children Mark (Melissa), Liz (Jim), and Phil (Stacy). After the passing of Becky in 1978, Loren married to Ruth Rauschenberg who had three children Jodi (Dale), Jeff (Michelle), and Jon (Lainie), from her previous marriage (Gerd F. Rauschenberg). Ruth and Loren met in their adult Sunday school class at Atonement and were married for 36 years, providing love and support to their 6 kids and 12 beautiful grandkids; Amber, Ashley, Jeremy, Jessica, Jason, Halle, Kendall, Carson, Noah, Maddie, Claire, and Jack.

Loren experienced a wonderful career that spanned three organizations and many different countries. First working for Monsanto, in St Louis, Loren was instrumental in the technical chemistry and research and development of many different herbicides and plant growth regulators. He continued his career with Farmland Industries, providing crop production support to over 2000 farm cooperatives. At the end of his career, Loren worked for International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), providing international training and consulting to help improve agriculture production with countries that had the greatest need.

Loren was tireless in the support of many charitable organizations. His most notable work was serving as President of the Board of Directors from 1979 to 1985 for Harvesters Community Food Bank. Other organizations included; Hollis Renewal Center, Community LINC, Habitat for Humanity, Blessings Abound, Budget Finance Management Association (BFMA), and Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry (MLM).

Loren and Ruth were actively involved with Atonement Lutheran Church for 40+ years. During this time they were involved with many charitable missions. Most recently, they helped start an eye clinic in Tanzania. In honor of their effort, the clinic bares their name.

He was blessed with a wonderful family and friends and will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Tena Ahlrichs, brother, John Ahlrichs, wife, Rebecca Ahlrichs.

He is survived in death by his wife, Ruth Ahlrichs, brother, James Ahlrichs, brother, David Ahlrichs, sister, Rachael Gerdes, and his 6 children and 12 grandchildren mentioned above.

A celebration of his life will be held on September 19th at 1pm, Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. In honor of Loren’s service to Harvester, we ask that you bring a canned good for donation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made to Hollis Renewal Center, PO Box 402, Bonner Springs, KS 66012.