Judy A. Ahrens

Judy A. Ahrens, age 75 of Kearney completed her journey to Jesus on January 27, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney surrounded by her loved ones, after a long courageous battle against cancer, kidney failure and other medical issues. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney with Pastor Douglas Gaunt officiating. Burial will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church. Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran School. To leave online condolences please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Born on July 31, 1949, to Gilbert M. and Anna H. (Grams) Martenson in Kearney Nebraska. She attended Zion Lutheran School, kindergarten through eighth grade, Kearney Junior and Senior High Schools 9 through 12, graduating in 1967. During high school she was involved in booster club and worked for A&W restaurant through 1968. She was then employed by Kearney Laundry prior to moving to rural Kearney County to become a homemaker, mother of three children, and operating an in-home childcare. Upon returning to Kearney in 1979 she worked as Parts Dept Manager for DeLuxe Manufacturing. In 1982 she married Randall Ahrens, and added to her family, her fourth child, continuing to reside in Kearney, she began employment with “The Booster” newspaper, later known as “Penny Press” as typesetter for several years, until owning and operating Ladybug childcare for 14 years. Caring for some of her grandchildren at that time led to the other children to know her as “Grandma Judy.” As proof of her strong faith and commitment to the Lord, she was a lifetime member of the church and taught Sunday school for several years. She was an active member on the Board of Stewardship, Church Council Secretary and Mary Martha Guild for several years. In 1976 through 1978, she was the leader for the Goldenrods 4-H club in Kearney County. She was Cub Scout Den leader and Cub-Scout Pack Secretary in Kearney in 1981 through 1983 and served again in 1990 through 1994. She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, her pillar of strength and courage and most of all her beautiful smile and natural beauty, which is loved most by her husband, Randy. Her talent for sewing over the years brought her much joy, eventually leading to the making of her own bridal gown as this was a great accomplishment she treasured. Even through her trials with her illness, she was still able to assist with the making of several quilts to be sent to third world countries and was able to gift all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren homemade gifts, which consisted of pillows, blankets, and special purses. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Randy of Kearney, daughter Kristi (Jack) Gleason of Kearney, Kurt (Jill) Gibbs of Rosedale, Lanny (Pam) Gibbs of Pleasanton, Tony (Lacey) Ahrens of Kearney, sister Jeanne (George) Day of Amherst, Brother Jim (Diane) Martenson, of Holdrege. Grandchildren, Amber (Rick)Lett of Merrillville, Indiana, Nick Journey, and fiancé Devin Barker Holdredge, Corey (Kenzie) Journey, Kearney, Noah (Brenna) Journey of Grand Island, Emmalee (Nick) Eckert, of Wood River, Paige, Kenzie, and Cooper Ahrens, and Emma Kutsch all of Kearney. 11 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and several extended family members. She was proceeded in death by her parents, brothers John and Jerry Martenson, one nephew and one niece.

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Judy A. Ahrens

July 31, 1949 - January 27, 2025