Girard “Jerry” Ahrens, 93, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022. Jerry was born to Fred C. and Anna (Wegener) Ahrens in St. Louis, Missouri on December 11, 1928.
Jerry grew up in St. Louis and attended St. Gabriel the Archangel Grade School. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in the class of 1946, where he played football, basketball, and baseball, but excelled in baseball. He was selected to play in the 1946 Esquire’s All-American Boys’ Baseball Game for Missouri as a pitcher and hitter for the West All-Stars, coached by Ty Cobb. He went on to sign with the Detroit Tigers and pitched two seasons in the minor leagues before returning to college at the University of Missouri, where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. While attending the University, he worked as a busboy at neighboring Stephens College where he met the love of his life for the next 70 years, Grace Boswyk.
Jerry and Grace were married November 22, 1952 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church. Following their marriage, they moved first to Orlando, Florida for Jerry to complete his military service in the Air Force. Then they came out to California for Jerry’s graduate education at Stanford University before they settled in Los Altos, California for the next 20 years. Jerry was always self-employed and opened his own investment company with a partner, which eventually became Foothill Securities in the South Bay Area.
Upon retirement, Jerry and Grace moved to Skagit Valley in Washington state. Jerry loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, boating, and camping with Grace. He was a big-hearted man who was dedicated to his wife and family.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Grace, and his daughter, Kathryn June Hefferline (Kurt) and their one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Grace Hefferline. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred C. Ahrens and Anna (Wegener) Ahrens, and his two daughters Debra Ann and Nancy Ann Ahrens.
Jerry was a loving husband, wonderful father, and proud grandfather and will leave a big hole in the hearts of those who loved him. Girard will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery and a memorial mass will be held November 7, 2022 at 10 A.M. at St. Gabriel the Archangel in St. Louis.