Raymond Wayne Ahrens, age 86, died from complications of sugar diabetes on August 18, 2021, in Riverton, Wyoming. Raymond is survived by his granddaughter, Candice Summerlin Burns, of Riverton, Wyoming; his great-granddaughter, Breesha Summerlin of Riverton, Wyoming; his brother, Roger Ahrens, of Salt Lake City, Utah; nine nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews; and many who he became Grandpa to. He is preceded in death by his wife, Thelma (Sauer) Ahrens, step-children Ruth Ann Ahrens and Danny Ahrens, parents Wayne and Jessie Ahrens, infant brother Ronald Ahrens, brother Robert Ahrens, sister Genevieve (Ahrens) Olson, and 6 month old sister Janette Ahrens.
Raymond was born on April 2, 1935 in Chinook, Montana, to parents Wayne and Jessie (Wideking) Ahrens. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1955. During his growing up years, he spent the summer months with his aunt & uncle, Kathryn and Richard Lanik, southeast of Big Sandy. He enjoyed the freshly made, home cooked meals Kathryn cooked every day and no other meal has ever made such a special memory of home for him. The things he remembered of his youth and time out on the farm were very interesting. He would recount, with minute detail, his experiences on the farm – harvesting, binding hay, wagon trips to town with grain, picking eggs and doing chores, and living without electricity. He was a wealth of knowledge and recounted many interesting historical events.
After high school he enlisted in the Army. He served in the army for 3 years and did tours in Germany and France earning a Good Conduct Award. After serving, he went to a heavy equipment school in Casper, Wyoming. He moved to Riverton, Wyoming in 1960 and accepted a position as an Equipment Operator at Pathfinder Mines where he worked for more than 10 years. He then got promoted to heavy equipment mechanic which he did for 20 years.
Raymond was a great family oriented man. He married Thelma Sauer in 1963 and together they raised her children, Ruth Ann and Danny as well as their grand-daughter, Candice. He took care of his parents during their later years. Raymond was accomplished at taking care of people and making them feel loved and valued.
He enjoyed reading, computers, history, learning, helping, and going to the farm now owned by Larry & Ann Bitz. He loved working in his yard and being outdoors and could often be found there. His attitude of gratitude was amazing as he was always so thankful for whatever you did for him. His family and friends will always remember him as a kind, generous person.
