Jeffery John "Barney" Ahlers

Jeffery J. “Barney” Ahlers, 64, of South Sioux City, NE, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at a local hospital.

 

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City.  Visitation Tuesday 5-7 PM, KOC Rosary 4:30 P.M. Vigil at 7:00 PM at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.  The family requests all attendees to wear their Husker Red (No Yellow will be allowed) Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery in South Sioux City.

 

Jeffery John Ahlers A.K.A. “Barney” was born June 13, 1959, in Omaha, NE. He entered eternal life on April 11, 2024 after a short illness from a severe stoke. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends.

 

Jeff graduated from Papillion High School, after which he attended from Wayne State and received a Bachelors in Communication. During his time at Papillion and Wayne he made many lifelong friends. He also met the love of his life, Lori.

 

In 1985 Jeff followed in his father’s footsteps by starting an Allstate Insurance Agency at Sears in Sioux City. During his time at Allstate, he achieved may awards and accolades such as trips that he and Lori enjoyed together. Jeff happily sold his business and retired in September of 2023.

 

In 1986 Jeff and Lori were married in Omaha, NE. They started a life together in South Sioux City, where in 1991 Jeff became a father for the first time with the birth of his daughter Rebecca, and instantly fell in love with fatherhood. He and Lori welcomed two more children with the birth of Samuel in 1993, followed by Anna in 1994. He loved spending time with his family, camping, coaching his kids in sports, taking them to Nebraska football games, and having bon fires. He was promoted to Papa in 2016 with the birth of first grandchild Maya. In 2021, his “Little Buddy” Myles was born. Jeff was so proud of being a father and papa he told everyone he could about them.

 

Jeff was very active in the community, spending a lot of time in the church and the Knights of Columbus. Within the last five years he was part of a men’s prayer group which greatly impacted and grew his faith. He was a very active member of South Sioux’s Knights of Columbus, even if other members will say he talked more than he worked. Jeff dedicated a week each summer to helping out Royal Family Kids Camp in Fremont, where he was an honorary papa to many kids. He also traveled to Rwanda with the Imana Kids organization where he met his and Lori’s sponsor child Plasir.

 

Jeff had a personality like no other, he could connect with anyone even the random stranger. Many people would agree when he walked into a room, he would bring a special kind of energy. He made many lifelong friends, that he was constantly checking up on. Whether it was to see what they had going on in their lives or calling to brag about what one of his kids or grand kids had done. If you had met Jeff even once you could expect him to keep in touch and always provide a laugh.

 

Jeff had many passions in his life, whether it was cheering on his beloved Huskers with family and friends, riding his motorcycle with Lori, or having people over to his in-house bar to listen to his favorite music. He loved watching movies with Lori, watching sports with Sam, going to concerts with Becca, camping with Anna and her family. His biggest passion was always his family.

Survivors include his wife Lori Ahlers; children:  Becca Ahlers, Sam Ahlers, Anna (Jeremy) Fisher; grandchildren:  Maya and Myles; brother Greg (Kim) Ahlers and their children:  Kalena (Jay) Hendricksen, Jordan Ahlers, and Madeline (Lance) Weber and their daughter Lyra Weber; and sister Sheila Ahlers; and mother-in-law:  Charlene Thelen.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Ronney and Joanne Ahlers, father-in-law Howie Thelen, and three miscarriages (Angels in Heaven).  

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be given to the Royal Family Kid's Camp.