Obituaries

Dwight Otto Ahnemann, age 79, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at his home from complications of COPD, following a fourteen-year battle with cancer.

Dwight was born November 10, 1945, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Otto and Orvesta (Scherb) Ahnemann. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Walters, MN. When Dwight was in second grade, Otto retired from farming and moved his family to the town of Kiester, MN. Dwight was a talented musician, receiving the John Philip Sousa Award, a busy athlete, and active student. After graduating from Kiester High School in 1963, Dwight attended Waldorf College for a time before starting his own farm. It was during this time that he went to Skateland Roller Rink and made a bet with his buddy that Marilyn (Yost) would go out with him. That was January, they were engaged in June, and married on September 18, 1965, at Emmons Lutheran Church. He won the bet. Shortly after marriage, Dwight was drafted into the army. Though he enjoyed serving in Germany, he was discharged (as a Spec 4 in the 3rd Infantry) due to his father’s health, and to work the farm they cultivated together. He finished out his service in the reserves. In 1968, Dwight and Marilyn welcomed baby Audra. Dwight soon accepted a position with Winnebago, and his career in sales was born. The family moved to Forest City, IA, and in 1971, they welcomed baby Tyler. Once again, they packed up and moved to the Des Moines area and made Ankeny their home. In 1977, they welcomed baby Kayla. Dwight became involved with the community and shared his mischievous personality with so many more people. He worked part-time weekends at the FINA gas station for many years (you know, the one across from Drug Town). From there, Dwight and Marilyn moved over to the Quad Cities and finally to Eau Claire. That is where the old guy worked for Menards during ‘retirement’, an excuse to make people laugh and cringe just a little bit. He also spent hours in the garage woodworking, making bird feeders to adirondack chairs.

Dwight grieved the loss of his siblings, Evangeline (Meyer) and Edgar; parents, Otto and Orvesta; and in-laws, Ellsworth and Arlene (Martinson) Yost; brothers-in-law, Orlando Meyer, Lynn Yost, and Gary Yost; sisters-in-law, Gloria Ahnemann and Daryl Rae Ahnemann; Granddaughter, Samantha Forrest.

Luckily, many families remain to keep his memory alive, his wife of almost 60 years, Marilyn (Yost) Ahnemann, and children, Audra (Douglas) Forrest, Tyler (Aimee) Ahnemann, and Kayla (Jeremy) Peak; grandchildren, Chelsea (Ben) Smith, Tressa Forrest, Leah (Cameron) Sotka, Natalie Forrest, Reid and Leif Ahnemann, Gideon, Otto, and Corinne Peak. The favorites of them all, were the great grandbabies, Maddox Forrest, Maverick Smith, Elizabeth and baby Sotka. Surviving family also includes the best big brother, Darryl Ahnemann, sisters-in-law, Marian Ahnemann and Carolyn Yost, brother and sister in laws, Dale (Phyllis) Yost, Becky (Ivan) Christianson, Paul (Debbie) Yost, and many nieces and nephews that he loved and treasured–all 113 of them! And last, but not least, so very many adored friends… he is eternally claiming ‘Kraut One’!

A memorial service will be Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Spirit Lutheran Church with Pastor JonPaul Dragseth officiating. A visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Friends and family may leave condolences online at www.smithfuneralec.com.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider contributing to the Spirit Lutheran Church piano restoration fund.