John (Johnny) Ahrens, 80 of Lidgerwood, ND passed Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. Visitation will be Monday, March 9, 2026 from 10-11 am followed by the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. all at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Lidgerwood.
John (Johnny) Hayward Ahrens was born December 18, 1945 in Sisseton, SD, the son of John Ahrens II and Hattie Wegener Ahrens. He attended Minnesota #2 in Roberts County for 8 years, his freshman year in HS in New Effington and his So., Jr. & Sr. year at Lidgerwood Public School. After high school he attended NDSSS, Wahpeton for 1 year. In January 1963 he entered ND ARG for 3 ½ years.
Johnny started playing in a band the Fall of 1959 and continued for 26 years. He was married to LaRae Bohn from 1967 – 1971. He was united in marriage to Shirley Prchal on June 11, 1976. Johnny bought J & J Sports Bar, Lidgerwood, ND and operated it from 1975-1978. He then operated the same bar under the name of Ma & Pa’s with his wife Shirley from 1984 – 2000. He also drove truck for Crandall Construction from 1978-1993, Flaxstraw operation 1978-1983 and as an independent trucker from 1993 to present.
Johnny is survived by his wife Shirley Ahrens; children: Jason (fiancé Kristine) Ahrens, Justin (Lindsey) Ahrens, Jesse (Danielle) Ahrens, Karissa (Aaron) Goodrich; sister JoAnn (Bill) Nigg and 14 grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents and son Shane Ahrens.
