Harold Ahlsten

Funeral Service for Harold Dick Ahlsten, 89, of Breckenridge, Minnesota, formerly of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Charles Horkey officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 8, 2011 from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton, and continue one hour prior to service time at the church. Pallbearers are Doug Ahlsten, Raymond Raguse, Dick Johannsen, David Novotny, Willard Wahl and Bob Ertsgaard. Interment will be held in the spring at Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Harold was born July 21, 1921 to August and Matilda (Anderson) Ahlsten in Taylor Township. He attended District #60 School in Taylor Township and later attended Morris Agriculture School where he graduated in 1939. He farmed with his brother, Clarence and in his early years spent winters in California. On November 25, 1951 he was united in marriage to Esther Tohm. They were blessed with two children, Mark Ahlsten and Melodi Novotny. As a hobby, Harold bought old houses and remodeled them to sell to young people. He was a member of Tintah School Board, St. John Lutheran Church Council and sang in the church choir. He also loved to play horseshoes, golf and bowling. For many years Harold did maintenance on the bowling machines at the Wheaton Lanes. He and Esther also managed the bowling ally for several years. Harold and Esther moved to Breckenridge in the spring of 2009 when Harold entered the St. Catherines Living Center in Wahpeton. Harold passed away February 6, 2011 at the St. Catherines Living Center. Harold is survived by his wife, Esther Ahlsten of Breckenridge, Minnesota, two children: Mark (Christine) Ahlsten of Wahpeton, North Dakota and Melodi (Curtis) Novotny of Lidgerwood, North Dakota, Grandchildren: David and Daniel Novotny of Lidgerwood, North Dakota and Renee (Dan) Kallevig of Paynesville, Minnesota and Karen (Joachim) Benitez of Austin, Minnesota, and five great-grandchildren: Katelyn, Josiah and Mia Kallevig, and Damian and Davin Benitez. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Einar, Elmer, Albert and Clarence, and five sisters: Edith, Alice, Ruth, Mabel and Florence.