Duane Leroy Ahrens

February 28, 1934 - August 29, 2017

Memorial services for Duane Leroy Ahrens, 83, will be held at 2 pm Friday, September 1, 2017 at the First Congregational Church with Reverend Matt Gordon officiating. Duane died August 29, 2017 at Community Hospital and cremation has taken place. Memorials may by given to the Torrington Senior Friendship Center. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com. Duane was born February 28, 1934 in Carleton, Nebraska the son of Rudolph and Clara (Peters) Ahrens. He grew up and received his education in Superior, Nebraska graduating high school there. After graduation he joined the US Army and served in the Army Corp of Engineers during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge he returned to Nebraska. He married Crystal Langer and during their union they had three children Julie, John and Jacqueline. They moved to Torrington, Wyoming where he started Wyoming Automotive a NAPA auto parts store. In 1983 he married Karla Beermann and during that union they adopted Kelli. He continued to work on auto air conditioners even after selling the business until his death. Duane obtained a pilot’s license and became and avid aviator. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was very creative and resourceful. He was a member of the Torrington Rotary where he was a past president. He also served on the Torrington Airport Advisory Board and the Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue. Duane is survived by his wife Karla Ahrens of Torrington, Wyoming; daughters Julie (Dan) Holgate of Brighton, Colorado, Jacqueline (Bill) Baird of Tecumseh, Nebraska and Kelli (Klint) Lojka of Cheyenne, Wyoming; a son John (Brenda) Ahrens of Gardener, Kansas; a brother Robert (Arlene) Ahrens of Superior, Nebraska; sisters Dorothy (Everett) Boyles of Salina, Kansas, Helen (Ralph) Platt of Superior and Carolyn (Roger) Peterson of Curtis, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers Dale and Raymond.