Michael “Mike” Kocian Ahlstrom of Victoria, age 73, passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2018. He was born January 5, 1945, in El Paso, Texas, to the late Ross C. Ahlstrom, Sr. and Hilda Kocian Ahlstrom. Mike was a graduate of Calhoun High School class of 1963 and received his Associate’s degree from Victoria College. He also attended Texas A&I and University of Houston – Victoria. He retired from DuPont after 36 years of employment and was actively involved in his community and church. Mike loved to give back and served as Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Salvation Army and was an active member of both Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Council and previously First English Lutheran Church. Mike was very involved in SPJST where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board, as Director of District 6 and as President of Local Lodge 32.
Mike and his wife Kathy were extensive travelers and enjoyed many trips with friends and family. Some of his favorite trips were Alaska, Europe and cruises. He enjoyed cooking, entertaining and most of all, his family. His grandchildren affectionately called him “PaPa,” and he loved spending time attending their school and sporting events. On the weekends you could find Mike at the coast fishing or cheering on the Sandcrab football team, the Houston Oilers and the Houston Texans.
Mike is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen “Kathy” Peck Ahlstrom; daughters, Shanna Starkey (Joe) of Austin and Sheryl Goodson and grandchildren, Caroline, Michael, and Christian Goodson of Argyle. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ross C. Ahlstrom, Jr.
Visitation will be held at Rosewood Funeral Chapel from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2018 and the funeral service will be held at First English Lutheran Church at 10:00 am Monday, November 19, 2018, Reverend Jim Pearson officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John Catapano, Jim Furness, Dr. Bob Horton, Royce Krueger, Jeff Reimann, Randy Schrade, Lou Sekula, and Herb Watts. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Goodson, Christian Goodson, Mark Goodson and Joe Starkey.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Lacy Cabrera and Anita Jackson who provided loving care for Mike.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 3045, Victoria, Texas, 77903, or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087 (www.theaftd.org).
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
